|
|
|
|
|
 Athena was the Greek goddess of Wisdom, Skill and War
|
Athena's extraordinary Birth
Athena was a child of Zeus and Metis, Zeus' first wife, who was keeping inside herself all the world's wisdom. She was born during the battle of the Giants, when she suddenly sprang out of the head of Zeus fully grown.[ Read the story...]
Athena's precious Skills
Athena was the goddess who taught mankind various skills such as weaving and sewing to the women and agriculture and metallurgy to men. She was always giving precious advice and stood by on any danger.
Athena and the City of Athens
After competing against the Greek god Poseidon, Athena officially became the patron deity of the city of ancient Athens and the Parthenon was built in her honour. She was known as "Athena Nike" (Athena the victorious), as she was believed to have given the Athenians the victory during the Persian War.
Appearance of Athena
A tall, slim woman with glaucous eyes trickling light, wearing a suit of armour and a golden helmet [1]
Symbols of Athena
Athena's symbols were the spear, the distaff and the aegis (a goat-like shield, to which the head of the Gorgon Medusa was fastened in order to terrify the opponents).
Athena's tree was the olive tree and her sacred animal was the owl, the symbol of wisdom.
The Roman name of Athena is "Minerva"
|
Monuments of Athena |
 Monuments related to Athena
|
Titles of Athena |
|
Anemotis ("protector of the winds") ,
Areia ("war-like") ,
Damasippos ("because she was the first to teach how to train horses") ,
Ergane ("goddess of skills and crafts") ,
Glaukopis ("green-eyed") ,
Hippia ("guide of the horses") ,
Nike ("bringer of victory") ,
Pallas ("youthful") ,
Polios ("defender/guardian of the city") ,
Promachos ("leader of the battle") ,
Soteira ("saviour")
|
Idioms and modern words deriving from Athena