Athena, born from Zeus's head, embodies wisdom, war, and crafts. Her unique birth and various epithets reflect her multifaceted nature. Athena's symbols, like the aegis and olive tree, showcase her divine power and connection to Athens.

As a key Olympian, Athena plays crucial roles in myths and rivalries. Her contests with mortals, like Arachne and Medusa, highlight the complexities of divine interaction with humans. Athena's influence extends beyond Olympus, shaping Greek culture and religion.

Birth and Epithets

Athena's Unusual Birth

• Zeus swallowed Metis, his first wife and goddess of wisdom, while she was pregnant with Athena
• Athena emerged fully grown and armed from Zeus's head, splitting it open with an axe
• This unique birth symbolizes Athena's connection to wisdom and her father's power
• Hephaestus, the god of craftsmen, assisted in the birth by splitting Zeus's head with his axe

Athena's Many Names

• Pallas Athena refers to her role as a warrior goddess
  • "Pallas" likely derives from the Greek word meaning "to brandish a weapon"
  • Some myths attribute this epithet to Athena's childhood friend Pallas, whom she accidentally killed
• Athena Parthenos means "Athena the Virgin" in Greek
  • Emphasizes her eternal virginity and purity
  • Inspired the name of the Parthenon temple in Athens
• Other common epithets include Athena Promachos (Athena who fights in the front line) and Athena Ergane (Athena of the crafts)

Symbols and Iconography

Athena's Divine Attributes

• Aegis serves as Athena's powerful shield or breastplate
  • Made from the skin of the giant Pallas or the goat Amaltheia
  • Often depicted with the head of Medusa at its center
  • Symbolizes divine protection and strikes fear into Athena's enemies
• Olive tree represents Athena's gift to the city of Athens
  • Won her the patronage of the city in a contest against Poseidon
  • Symbolizes peace, wisdom, and prosperity
  • Sacred to Athenians, who cultivated olive groves around the city

Animal Associations

• Owl embodies Athena's wisdom and keen insight
  • Often depicted perched on Athena's shoulder or hand
  • Represents her ability to see clearly in the darkness of ignorance
  • Became a symbol of knowledge and academic pursuits (Athens)
• Snake sometimes appears coiled at Athena's feet
  • Symbolizes wisdom, renewal, and protection
  • Connected to the myth of Erichthonius, whom Athena raised in a chest guarded by snakes

Myths and Rivalries

Athena's Role in Athens

• Parthenon stands as the most famous temple dedicated to Athena
  • Built on the Acropolis in Athens during the 5th century BCE
  • Houses the colossal statue of Athena Parthenos, made of gold and ivory
  • Showcases Athena's importance in Athenian religion and civic life
• Panathenaea festival honored Athena annually in Athens
  • Included processions, sacrifices, and athletic competitions
  • Culminated in the presentation of a new peplos (robe) to Athena's statue

Athena's Contests with Mortals

• Arachne challenged Athena to a weaving contest
  • Arachne's tapestry depicted the gods' misdeeds, angering Athena
  • Athena destroyed Arachne's work and struck her with a weaving tool
  • Transformed Arachne into a spider, forever weaving webs
  • Myth highlights the dangers of hubris and challenging the gods
• Medusa's transformation resulted from Athena's wrath
  • Originally a beautiful maiden, Medusa was violated by Poseidon in Athena's temple
  • Athena punished Medusa by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze petrify onlookers
  • Later, Athena assisted Perseus in beheading Medusa
  • Demonstrates Athena's complex nature as both protector and punisher