Greek Mythology: Athena

The Greek goddess Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war. She was one of the most powerful goddesses. She was known for her strategic skill in war. Also, for being fierce and courageous in battle.

Athena’s parents are Zeus and Metis. There’s a myth that says she was born from Zeus’s head. The story is that Zeus had swallowed Metis whole because of a prophecy. The prophecy said that Metis would give birth to a child more powerful than him. In order to stop that he swallowed Metis whole not knowing she was pregnant. Then, later he got an enormous headache and all of a sudden Athena was there fully grown and in armor. In total Athena has a total of 13 siblings. Her siblings are Artemis, Aphrodite, the Muses, the Graces, Dionysus, Hebe, Hermes, Heracles, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus, Minos, Perseus, and Porus. Out of all of her siblings, Athena is said to be Zeus’s favorite child. She was even allowed to use his weapons. For example, the most famous one the Thunderbolt.

Athena is represented and known by many things. The sacred animals that represent her are the owls for being very wise. Another animal that represents her is the Snake. The sacred plants that represent her are olive trees. And her sacred image is a wood statue called Palladium. She was also represented by war attire like armor, helmets, and spears. She was known for her skills in war and for almost always being successful in her battles. Athena was also known for her good qualities such as having wisdom, courage, strength, skill, intelligence and being generous, and kind. But she was also known for being ruthless and fierce at times. An example of this would be when she turned a skilled weaver named Arachne into a spider for insulting her and the other Greek gods. These are just some things that she was known for and represented by.

Athena was also an inventor. She invented the bridle which allowed the people to be able to tame wild horses. She also invented some of the instruments we use today. For example, she invented the flute and the trumpet. Although she invented these instruments, it is said that she never played any. She also invented things for the farmers to use. Like the rakes, plows, and pots for farmers to plant. These are just some of the things she invented out of many.

Athena was a powerful and intelligent goddess even though she was sometimes ruthless. Athena helped many people. Such as Perseus on his quest to kill Medusa. She was represented and acknowledged by many other Greek gods and goddesses because of her intelligence, kindness, and skill in war.