Marble sculpture of the warlike Athena |
Athena
Roman name: Minerva
Goddess of the ‘nobler’ aspects of war
Athena was generally depicted with her aegis (shield/breastplate) decorated with Medusa’s head. She was sometimes portrayed with an owl (symbol of wisdom) or olive tree (her gift to the Athenians).
Frequently called Pallas Athena (meaning and derivation unclear) she is also referred to as 'Flashing Eyed' Athena.
Athena's birth
Athena was the result of parthenogenesis or virgin birth: she emerged fully formed from her father Zeus’ head when it was struck with an axe.
In some versions of the story, Athena had no known mother. Others recount how Zeus lay with Metis but – fearing the realisation of a prophecy that he would be overthrown by his own son – Zeus swallowed Metis as soon as he had impregnated her. Inside Zeus, Metis began to make a robe and helmet for her daughter. Each time she hammered at the helmet, Zeus suffered terrible pain. Hephaestus came to his father’s aid: he struck Zeus’ head with an axe and Athena emerged, fully grown and wearing Metis’ robe and helmet.
Virgin Warrior
Athena was an armed warrior goddess who intervened in the battles of numerous mortals.
Athena was the goddess of war but she was associated with the nobler aspects of battle. She represented the intellectual and strategic side of war, responsible for justice and skill, whereas Ares was associated with violence and bloodlust.
Athena, Artemis and Hestia were a trio of virgin goddesses, and Athena was their leader, hence her epithet Parthenos, or ‘Maiden’. The temple erected in her honour at Athens was called the Parthenon.
Athena’s chastity meant that she was not prey to her own lusts and so she could not be dominated by Aphrodite. Hence, her virginity was a factor in her indomitability.
Zeus wanted Athena to marry Hephaestus, the god of fire. In one version she refused him because he was too ugly. In another, she married him but disappeared from the bridal bed before their marriage was consummated, leaving Hephaestus to spill his seed on the floor.
Civilised goddess of domestic crafts
Athena and Athens
Athena was a civilised goddess; in many ways she was the antithesis of Artemis the goddess of wildlife.
Athena was largely celebrated in urban centres, and was especially venerated in Athens – the city named after her. According to legend she battled with Poseidon, the god of the sea, for possession of the city. Poseidon tried to win the people over by striking the ground with his trident so that water flowed on the Acropolis (the hilll overlooking the city), but as it was salty sea-water it was of little use to the people. In contrast, Athena’s gift of the first cultivated olive tree offered the people wood, oil and fruit, so the goddess won control of the city.
Athena and Arachne
Athena was associated with domestic crafts and the skills of peacetime; she was famed for her weaving.
She was angered when the mortal Arachne boasted that her own tapestries were unsurpassed. Athena challenged Arachne to a weaving competition.
Athena’s tapestry depicted her contest with Poseidon, thus showing the gods to be powerful and beneficent. Arachne’s tapestry showed Zeus pursuing his many amorous conquests. Athena was infuriated either by the mortal’s skill or at her choice of subject matter, and Arachne hanged herself in despair. Athena took pity on the woman, and brought her back to life as a spider so that Arachne, and all her descendants, would hang from ropes and be legendary weavers.
Athena and Medusa
Athena’s aegis (shield/breastplate) bore Medusa’s severed head.
Athena helped Perseus to kill the gorgon, so he presented her with Medusa’s head for protection, as it continued to petrify (turn to stone) those who looked upon it, even after the Gorgon’s death.
Athena had long held a grudge against Medusa. She had been the only beautiful sister of the three gorgons but she had sex with/ was raped by Poseidon in Athena’s temple. The virgin goddess, furious at the desecration, made Medusa as ugly as her sisters, and gave her the power of petrification to ensure that she would never again be intimate with a man.