The birth of Athena is a very interesting story. She is the daughter of Zeus (the ruler of the Gods in the Greek Pantheon) and Metis (the Goddess of Crafty Thought and Wisdom). It had been prophesized that if Metis had a son, he would be more powerful than the father. This meant that if Metis had a son from Zeus, then that son could overthrow Zeus. Frightened of this prospect, Zeus tricked Metis into transforming into a fly after he lay with her. As soon as she became a fly, he swallowed her. However, Metis was already pregnant and was making a helmet and an amour for the child within the fetis. The hammering caused such a headache for Zeus that he had to order Hermes to cut his head open and remove the source of the pain. As soon as his head was cut open, Athena jumped out, fully grown and clothed in the helmet and armour.
Athena’s appearance is always described as having grey eyes which were shining. She would always be accompanied by an owl. An owl is a symbol of wisdom and is a bird that has the capability of seeing in the dark. Often, Athena is also accompanied by the Goddess of Victory, Nike. Athena is always depicted wearing armour and a helmet.
Athena was always described as a virgin. There are no instances of her having any lovers. Hence, she was described as Athena Parthenos. Parthenos means virgin. The Greek temple called the Partheneon is dedicated to Athena.
There are many stories in Greek mythology, which describe the various good qualities of Athena. Some of them are given below.
How the city of Athens got its name is also a curious story. Apparently, both Poseidon (the sea god) and Athena competed to win the favour of the Greeks. So each of them gave a gift to the city people, who would then decide which was the best one. Poseidon thrust his trident into the ground and a spring gushed forth. Although the spring created a port in the city which would enable trade, the water of the spring was salty and not fit to drink. Athena, on the other hand, gave the city an Olive tree. The tree could be used for wood, the fruit for food and oil. The Greeks preferred the gift of the Olive tree, and hence the city was named ‘Athens’ after Athena the goddess of wisdom.
Athena is often referred to as Pallas Athena. There is a story behind that as well. Apparently, Pallas was her childhood friend and they would play with each other all the time. One day, accidentally, Athena injured Pallas and the injury caused her death. Since then, Athena took on the name of her friend, so that she would be remembered by her forever.
Another story tells us about Athena’s wisdom and hot-headedness and her talent with weaving. Apparently a lady called Arachne used to boast that she was the best weaver ever. Athena went and challenged her. A contest began. Athena wove a scene showing the contest between her and Poseidon over Athens. Arachne, in her vanity, wove a scene of Zeus in trouble with his many wives. Athena became furious and burned the tapestry down along with Arachne. Later on, she regretted it, and turned Arachne into a spider so that she would weave her beautiful designs forever.
There are also instances of Athena helping other people, in several stories from Greek Mythology. She helped Perseus in killing Medusa. She taught Heracles how to remove the skin of the Neaman Lion. She guided Odysseyus via his dreams on his long journey back home from Troy.
After Greece was conquered by Rome, Athena was incorporated with a similar goddess from Roman Mythology called Minerva.
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