Athena was the goddess of war and wisdom in ancient Greek mythology. The Greeks also called her Pallas Athene, and the Romans called her Minerva. We know about Athena from ancient Greek writings, especially Homer’s long poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Athena was also the goddess of handicrafts such as weaving and metalwork. Her symbol was the owl, because of her wisdom. She was one of the most powerful Greek gods and the favorite of Zeus, the king of the gods, who was her father. Athena was higher ranked than Ares, another war god, who lacked Athena’s wisdom, and she often got the better of the sea god, Poseidon.
According to myth, the Greek city of Athens was named after Athena when she beat Poseidon in a contest. He demonstrated his power by creating a well of saltwater. Athena showed hers by planting an olive tree, which was judged to be more useful.
Athena’s Birth
Athena’s mother was Metis, the goddess of intelligence. Zeus learned that Metis was to have a child by him, and fearing the fulfillment of a prophecy that he would lose his throne to a son of hers, he swallowed Metis whole. Zeus eventually gave birth to Athena from his head, which had to be split open. The infant Athena leaped out fully armed, giving her battle cry.
Help and Inspiration
Athena helped human beings by advising or inspiring them in battle. She gave the hero Perseus a polished shield to use as a mirror so that he could kill a monster called Medusa without looking directly at her terrible face. Athena later carried Medusa’s head on her own shield as a trophy. She also inspired Diomedes to victory in the Trojan War and helped Odysseus return home after the same war.
Punisher of Mortals
Athena sometimes punished mortals, although she often took pity on them afterwards. She blinded Teiresias for seeing her naked but then granted him wisdom and the power to see the future. On another occasion, when a woman named Arachne challenged Athena to a weaving contest, Athena made her so ashamed that she hanged herself. Afterwards Athena brought Arachne back to life as a spider.
How Athena Was Worshiped
Athena was worshiped throughout Greece but especially in Athens, where three temples were dedicated to her: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike. In one of her festivals, two girls carried a basket of mysterious objects to an underground chamber. In another ceremony priests and priestesses walked beneath a huge parasol. A third featured a procession of priests, magistrates, girls, and young men. They offered gifts to Athena, and there were games, music, and dancing.
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IN THIS PASSAGE FROM THE ILIAD, HOMER DESCRIBES HOW ATHENA HELPED GREEK WARRIORS IN THE TROJAN WAR: Then Pallas Athena put courage into the heart of Diomedes, son of Tydeus, so that he would outshine all the other Greeks and cover himself with glory. She made a stream of fire flare from his shield and helmet like the star that shines most brilliantly in summer after its bath in the great ocean. She kindled a similar fire on his head and shoulders as she urged him speed into the thickest hurly-burly of the battle. ILIAD, BOOK 5
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