The goddess of wisdom was one of the most powerful of the ancient Greek goddess. She
was the daughter of Zeus, the Greek father god, and his first wife, Métis, whose names
means "wisdom". Métis warned Zeus that the first son they produced would grow more
powerful than Zeus himself. Zeus was so agitated by this that when she became pregnant, he
swallowed Métis and their unborn child whole. After this huge meal, he had a terrible
headache, which was relieved only when he spilt his head open with an axe. From the
wound rushed forth Athena, fully grown.
Athena came to be revered not only as the goddess of wisdom, but also as the goddess of
war. Skilled without equal in the art of battle, she gave just protection to those in need of
defense, especially to Achilles, the hero of the Iliad. Her brilliance of reason was said to be as
penetrating as her clear grey eyes; her artistry in all crafts, especially weaving and pottery,
was unrivaled. Athena was once challenged to a weaving contest by a woman named
Arachne. When Arachne lost, the goddess transformed her into a spider.
Often depicted with an owl as a symbol of enlightenment and a serpent as a symbol of
fertility, Athena is credited with the invention of the plow and the rake, which helped humans
to cultivate food. She also inspired architects to create elegant temples. Many of these were
strong enough to provide security in times of war for the citizens in whose towns they were
built.
Athena gave her name to Athens, the capital of Greece, then Poseidon, god of the seas, grew
jealous of her popularity there and proposed a contest: whoever gave the most valuable gift
to the Greeks would become patron of the city. Poseidon gave a saltwater well. but Athena’s
gift of the olive tree provided shade from the hot sun, oil for lamps, and delicious olives to
eat. From that time, all Athenian families have held the olive branch sacred as a symbol of
Athena’s generosity to them.
ATHENA
The virgin patron
of Athens. The
Parthenon was
built to worship
her.
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