Athena

Athena

Athena is known for being the Greek goddess of war, the arts and wisdom. Ancient attributes of Athena are the owl, her sacred bird whose presence signals her own presence, and the snake, a symbol associated with deity power and myths of the Ancient Greeks(Gagarin, 2010). Athena was a virgin goddess who was frequently associated with males(Neils, 2007). She was born fully armed from the head of her father Zeus, who had swallowed her pregnant mother Metis to prevent the birth of a rival(Gagarin, 2010). Although in physique and dress a female, her image portrays many masculine attributes. Athena is armed with a shield, spear, helmet and protective aegis(breastplate) which was given to her by Zeus(Neils, 2007). A distinctive feature of Athena's aegis is the Gorgoneion, a clasp or brooch in the likeness of the Gorgon's head that held the garment in place(Gagarin, 2010). Some scholars believe myths connect Athena's aegis to a monster named Pallas whom she killed and whose skin she wore capelike over her shoulders as a trophy giving Athena the ancient name “Pallas”(Gagarin, 2010). Athena was always a popular deity in the patriarchal society of Ancient Greece because of her allegiance to men(Neils, 2007). She is often depicted in literature and art as an advisor or goddess of warfare among heroes(Neils, 2007). Athena was not only associated with men, she had a reputation for technical skill derived partly from handicrafts(Neils, 2007). Athena created many useful items, such as the potter's wheel, vase, horse bridle, chariot, and ship(Athena, 2014). Athena also helped women by inventing spinning and weaving(Athena, 2014). Athena embodies the aretē (excellence) of both sexes: valor in war for men, and for women distinction in weaving and management of the household(Gagarin, 2010).

Athena springs out of the head of Zeus fully armed

Athena and Athens

Athena was the most important deity of Athens. Athena competed with Poseidon for patronage of Athens(Gagarin, 2010). They Athenians asked each god to find the best gift for the city(Athena, 2014). Poseidon gave them a spring of water but the water flowing from it was salty. Athena gave them the gift of an olive tree. This was meant to indicate that the goddess was offering the new city the fruits of peace and wisdom(how Athens, 2002). The Athenians thought that Athena’s gift was more valuable and gave her patronage of their city. To avoid angering Poseidon, the promised to worship him too(Gagarin, 2010). When money was invented, the Athenians adopted the drachma as their currency. One side had the profile of Athena and the other side had the owl(how Athens, 2002).

Athenian Drachma

Athena in Literature

Athena and her stories appear in many literary works. Athena plays a prominent role in both The Iliad and The Odyssey(Athena, 2014). In Homer's Iliad she is a war goddess whose combat abilities are derived from her father(Gagarin, 2010). Athena is also a goddess of closeness, always near at hand to advise and assist particular male heroes(Gagarin, 2010). In The Odyssey, Athena is an advisor to Telemachus. Athena inspires Telemachus to go on a journey to find Odysseus, his father. Athena gives Telemachus instructions on how to find his father and what transportation to you. “Fit out a ship with twenty oars, the best in sight and sail in a quest for your long lost father.”(Homer, 1996, p 86).  Athena also played a role in convincing Odysseus to leave Calypso’s island to continue on his journey home(Homer, 1996). Athena appears as a stage character in seven surviving Greek tragedies(Gagarin, 2010). Portrayals in general emphasize her role as the guardian goddess of cities(Gagarin, 2010). She may protect other cities, as she does in Aeschylus’ Seven against Thebes, but she is most concerned for the safety and well-being of Athens and its heroes(Gagarin, 2010).

Athena. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Ar-Be/Athena.html.

Athena springs out of the head of Zeus fully armed. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/athena/stories/birth-of-athena/

Athenian Drachma. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.toysperiod.com/blog/collectibles/the-story-of-a-collectible-coin-from-ancient-greece/

Gagarin, M. (Ed.). (2010). Athena. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome. Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195170726.001.0001/acref-9780195170726-e-135?rskey=atFSbf&result=3.

Homer. (1996). The Odyssey. ( R. Fagles, Trans.). New York, NY: Penguin Books.

How Athens Got its Name. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.greece-athens.com/page.php?page_id=396.

Neils, J. (2007). Athena. In F. Malti-Douglas (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender (Vol. 1, pp. 104-105). Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX2896200046&v=2.1&u=munc80314&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w&asid=5d5924e366ddf265aa66a285fa89d298.