Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War

Goddess of war and wisdom, Athena is the daughter of Zeus, and only by him. She leapt out of the head of Zeus, as a full grown adult, dressed in armor, destined for the fight. However, that is not to say that there was no mother ever involved in her miraculous generation. Zeus, the King of the Gods, took Metis to be his first wife, but right as she was about to give birth to Athena, Zeus tricked his pregnant wife into assimilating her body into hers, as Mother Earth and Father Sky had suggested he do in order to ensure none of his descendants ever robbed him of his status, as it was said that the most brilliant of all gods would be born to the goddess Metis. Athena is the favorite daughter of Zeus, and because of this, is given his insignia, shield and the use of his weapon, the lightning bolt. She is often described as “bright-eyed” and is the first of the Virgin Goddesses. Athena is also known as Maiden and Parthenos, which is where the name for her Temple comes from, the Parthenon. While Athena is known as the incarnation of wisdom, reality, and purity, she is also known as the Goddess of the City because her goals are to protect civilized life, artisan activities, and agriculture. It is believe that Athena is responsible for inventing the horse-bit, which allowed men to tame horses for the first time. The city of Athens in Greece is named after her, and she is known as the creator of the olive tree, which is why so many of these trees resides in the Athens area. The owl, known for its own wisdom, is associated with Athena.

The way in which Athena came to claim ownership of this land is one of the most famous myths in which she’s involved. Athena, who had come to love the land in Attica, which is present day Athens, had a dispute with Poseidon over who should possess these lands, in the days of King Cecrops. It was decided that the people of Athens would decide who should rule them based on the gifts they receive. Poseidon immediately struck his trident on the Acropolis and salt water gushed forth from a spring. The people were amazed at this accomplishment. Then, Athena caused an olive tree to sprout up in the Acropolis, and again the people were amazed. When asked which god they would like to have possession over them the people chose Athena, as her gift would be more beneficial to their lives. This was because the olive trees could be used for a way of life, used to make olive oil and cultivate olives, while the salt water really did not do anything for the people, as they could not even drink it.

Another time Athena was involved in a competition was the ordeal to the moral, Arachne. Arachne was so skilled in the art of weaving and embroidery that even the nymphs would come out of their wooden homes to admire her work. Everyone loved to watch her work as well, and admire the deft way her fingers moved the threads. Arachne was proud of her work and often boasted of how she had no teacher. Many thought she was so good, Athena herself must have taught her; but Arachne, discontent to be considered the pupil of anyone, even a goddess, denied these stories. She soon came to challenge Athena, saying that if Athena could beat her embroidery in beauty, then she would accept punishment. Athena became aware of this and was very angry that a mere mortal would claim to rival her own skill. She assumed the appearance of an old woman and went to visit the woman, advising her to apologize profusely to the goddess of wisdom and beg for mercy, and in the future, only challenge other mortals. Arachne scoffed at the warning and told Athena in disguise to leave her advice for her daughters, and again challenged Athena if she would dare.

Athena, growing even angrier, revealed her true form to the woman and all watching. The nymphs payed homage to the goddess and the mortals all bowed down to her superiority; all except Arachne. With a foolish belief in her own skills, she rushed on to her downfall, proceeding to the contest. All those in witness watched in awe as the woman and the goddess went to work. Athena wove the scene of her contest with Poseidon, and in the four corners, scenes involving mortals who had displeased the gods were shown. Arachne filled her wands with stories that showed the failings of the gods, strongly marking her presumption, and further angering Athena. With Athena could not help but admire how good the woman was, the scenes angered her so much that she struck the weave and destroyed it in pieces. She then touched the forehead of the woman and made her feel guilt and shame. Arachne was so ashamed she went to hang herself, but Athena took pity on her as she saw her suspended on the rope; sprinkling the woman with the juices of aconite, Athena proclaimed that the woman shall live, but in order to remember this lesson forever, she and all of her descendants will continue to hang for the rest of time. With that proclamation, Arachne began to shrink as her hair, nose and ears came off, while her fingers attached themselves to her side and were used as legs. The rope turned into a long, thin string, and thus, the modern spider was created, and they still hang themselves to this day as they continue to weave their webs.

A warrior herself, Athena was known as the Protectress of the Heroes for the numerous instances of aids she gave to some of the most well known Heroes in history. When Hera forced Hercules into arduous labors, Athena was there all the while to comfort him. She was also responsible for giving him the cymbals whose sound frightened away the birds of Lake Stymphaus, and escorted him out of the underworld, and welcomed him into the land of Olympus after his death. Because of all of the help she gave to Hercules during his adventures, he offered the golden apples of Hesperides that he’d won in homage to his most precious goddess.

Hercules, was not the only hero to receive aid from Athena. She was essential to helping Perseus on his adventure against the Gordons. Since Perseus could not look into the eyes of Medusa while he was fighting her, lest risk turning to stone, Athena guided his hand so that he could strike Medusa with his sword. Perseus would give Medusa’s head to Athena as a gift, which she would come to place on her shield. Some versions of the myth say Athena was so invested in Perseus’ cause that she herself killed Medusa in her sleep. When Bellerophon set out to capture and tame Pegasus, the magical flying horse, Athena appeared to him in a dream and gave him the golden bridle that would allow him to succeed. Finally, she protected Ulysses against any threats on his return home from Troy, which was wrought with perils, and also assisted Telemachus in his efforts to find his father again. The value Athena places on valor and courage is easily seen in the personality and character of those she protects.

Athena herself was no stranger to war, beyond just her birth, in which she came out of Zeus’ head dressed full in armor. She was involved in the war against the giants, and was responsible for the death of Pallus. She also hurled her chariot against Enceladus, who she would crush under the island of Sicily. In the Trojan War, Athena again makes an appearance, on the side of the Greeks. She put on a golden helmet and her father’s aegis, and then climbed onto Diomedes’ chariot, taking the reigns herself and attacked Ares, who she knocked to the ground with just one thrust of her spear. Some even say Athena gave Odysseus the idea of the Trojan Horse, which would ultimately cause the downfall of the Trojans. The memory of the war goddess was often reenacted in Libya, where girls would divide into two separate camps and then commence a in a false battle with sticks and stones.

Athena, the first of the Virgin Goddesses, took her chastity very seriously. One day, while bathing in a stream with the nymphs, Teiresisas came upon her by accident, seeing her naked. While it was a complete accident, Athena still punished the man, taking away his sight, causing him to go blind. Teiresias begged her to reconsider and give him his sight back but she refused. She tried to take away some of the harshness of her decision by giving him the gift of foresight. Despite what some might think because of her interest in the activities involving Helios, Hephaestus, and Hercules, she never once considered any of them in a romantic way; she solely valued men for their courageous qualities and leadership characteristics in war.

WC: 1524
Sources: http://www.goddess-athena.org/Encyclopedia/Athena/
Class: Being of the Moment 3

*loves mythology*

Great, another 600 HP!