Difference between revisions of "Athena" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Athena type Velletri.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Helmeted Athena'', of the [[Velletri]] type. Roman copy (1st century) of a [[Art in Ancient Greece|Greek]] original by [[Kresilas]], ''c.'' [[430s B.C.E.|430 B.C.E.]]]]
 
[[Image:Athena type Velletri.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Helmeted Athena'', of the [[Velletri]] type. Roman copy (1st century) of a [[Art in Ancient Greece|Greek]] original by [[Kresilas]], ''c.'' [[430s B.C.E.|430 B.C.E.]]]]
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In [[Greek mythology]], '''Athena''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: '''{{polytonic|Άθηνά}}''', ''Athēnâ'', or {{polytonic|Ἀθήνη}}, ''Athénē''; [[Doric Greek|Doric]]: {{polytonic|Άσάνα}}, ''Asána''; [[Latin language|Latin]]: '''''[[Minerva]]'''''), the shrewd companion of heroes, became the goddess of  [[wisdom]], as philosophy became applied to cult in the later fifth century.<ref>[[Walter Burkert]], ''Greek Religion'' 1985:VII "Philosophical Religion" treats these transformations.</ref> She remained the patroness of [[weaving]], [[crafts]] and the more disciplined side of [[war]]<ref>Violence and bloodlust were [[Ares]]' domain.</ref>. Athena's wisdom  also includes the cunning intelligence (''[[metis]]'') of such figures as [[Odysseus]].
  
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In [[Greek mythology]], '''Athena''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: '''{{polytonic|Άθηνά}}''', ''Athēnâ'', or {{polytonic|Ἀθήνη}}, ''Athénē''; [[Doric Greek|Doric]]: {{polytonic|Άσάνα}}, ''Asána''; [[Latin language|Latin]]: '''''[[Minerva]]''''') was the goddess of [[civilization]], specifically [[wisdom]], [[weaving]], [[crafts]] and the more disciplined side of [[war]] (violence and bloodlust were [[Ares]]' domain). Athena's wisdom encompasses the technical knowledge employed in weaving, metal-working, but also includes the cunning intelligence (''[[metis]]'') of such figures as [[Odysseus]]. The [[Little Owl|owl]] and the [[olive]] tree are sacred to her. Her name is derived from Greek Ἀθεονόα, ''Atheonóa'' (= from god's (theos) mind (nous)). Her nicknames were {{polytonic|Άτρυτώνη}}, ''Atrytone'' (= the unwearying), {{polytonic|Παρθένος}}, ''Parthénos'' (= virgin), and {{polytonic|Ή Πρόμαχος}}, ''Promachos'' (the pre-fighter/-tress, i. e. ''the person who fights in front'').
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She is attended by an owl, and is  often accompanied by the goddess of victory, [[Nike (mythology)|Nike]]. Wearing a goatskin breastplate called the [[Aegis]] given to her by her father, [[Zeus]],<ref>Zeus is also "Aegis-bearing Zeus".</ref>, she is often shown helmeted and with a shield bearing the [[Gorgon]] [[Medusa]]'s head, a [[votive gift]] of [[Perseus]]. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as a helper of many heroes, including [[Heracles]], [[Jason]], and [[Odysseus]]. In classical myth she never had a consort or lover, and thus was often known as ''Athena Parthenos'' ("Athena the virgin"), hence her most famous temple, the [[Parthenon]], on the [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]] in [[Athens]]. In a remnant of archaic myth, she was the mother of [[Erichthonius of Athens|Erichthonius]] by an attempted rape, which failed.<ref>Pseudo-Apollodorus, ''[[Bibliotheke]]'' 3.14.6.</ref> 
  
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She is attended by an owl, and is  often accompanied by the goddess of victory, [[Nike (mythology)|Nike]]. Wearing a goatskin breastplate called the [[Aegis]] given to her by her father, [[Zeus]],<ref>Zeus is also "Aegis-bearing Zeus".</ref>, she is often shown helmeted and with a shield bearing the [[Gorgon]] [[Medusa]]'s head, a [[votive gift]] of [[Perseus]]. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as a helper of many heroes, including [[Heracles]], [[Jason]], and [[Odysseus]]. She never had a consort or lover, and thus was often known as ''Athena Parthenos'' ("Athena the virgin"), hence her most famous temple, the [[Parthenon]], on the [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]] in [[Athens]]. However, she was the mother of [[Erichthonius of Athens|Erichthonius]] by an attempted rape{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, which failed. Athena, disgusted, wiped the seed with wool, which was sacred to Gaia, and so Erichthonius was conceived.  
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In her role as a protector of the city, Athena was worshiped throughout the Greek world as ''Athena Polias'' ("Athena of the city"). She had a special relationship with [[Athens]], as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the goddess and the city.<ref>"Whether the goddess was named after the city or the city after the goddess is an ancient dispute" (Burkert 1985:139).</ref>
  
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In her role as a protector of the city, Athena was worshiped throughout the Greek world as ''Athena Polias'' ("Athena of the city"). She had a special relationship with [[Athens]], as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the goddess and the city.<ref>"Whether the goddess was named after the city or the city after the goddess is an ancient dispute" (Burkert, p. 139).</ref> Athena is associated with [[Athens]], a plural name because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood, the ''Athenai'', in earliest times.<ref>Ruck and Staples, p. 24.</ref> Athena was probably already a goddess in the Aegean in prehistoric times.<ref> Whether her name is attested in [[Eteocretan]] or not will have to wait for decipherment of [[Linear A]].</ref> There is evidence that in early times, Athena was an [[owl]] herself, or a [[bird goddess]] in general. In Book 3 of the [[Odyssey]], she takes the form of a [[sea-eagle]]. Her tasseled [[aegis]] may be the remnants of wings:<ref> [http://www.fjkluth.com/athena.html Frederick John Kluth, "The Role of Athena in Ancient Greek Art"]</ref> she is depicted with wings on Archaic [[red-figure pottery]].
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==Mythology==
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{{Greek myth (Olympian)}}
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===Birth of Athena, daughter of Zeus===
 
[[Image:Athena Parthenos Altemps Inv8622.jpg|thumb|right|200px|This marble copy signed <small>ANTIOCHOS</small> is a first century B.C.E. copy of [[Phidias]]' 5th-century original that stood on the [[Acropolis]]]]
 
[[Image:Athena Parthenos Altemps Inv8622.jpg|thumb|right|200px|This marble copy signed <small>ANTIOCHOS</small> is a first century B.C.E. copy of [[Phidias]]' 5th-century original that stood on the [[Acropolis]]]]
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In the [[Olympian gods|Olympian pantheon]], Athena was remade as the favorite daughter of Zeus, born fully armed from his forehead after he swallowed her mother, Metis.  The story of her birth comes in several versions.  In the one most commonly cited, Zeus lay with [[Metis (mythology)|Metis]], the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than the sire,<ref>Compare the prophecy concerning [[Thetis]].</ref> even Zeus himself.  In order to forestall these dire consequences, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly and swallowed her immediately after lying with her.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} He was too late: Metis had already conceived a child.  Metis immediately began making a helmet and robe for her fetal daughter.  The hammering as she made the helmet caused Zeus great pain and [[Prometheus]], [[Hephaestus]], [[Hermes]] or [[Palaemon]] (depending on the sources examined) cleaved Zeus's head with the double-headed Minoan axe (the [[labrys]] of the Great Goddess). Athena leaped from Zeus's head, fully grown and armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the experience.
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Athena is most commonly described as the daughter of Zeus. It is also often implied{{Fact|date=May 2007}} that she is his first-born child, which accords her special status: the weapons for which she is so famous are weapons she and he share exclusively, including the thunderbolt.
  
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Fragments attributed to the semi-legendary [[Phoenicia]]n historian [[Sanchuniathon]], said to have written before the [[Trojan war]], make Athena instead the daughter of [[Cronus]], a king of [[Byblos]] who is said to have visited 'the inhabitable world' and bequeathed [[Attica]] to Athena.
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===The Olympian version===
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In the [[Olympian gods|Olympian pantheon]], Athena was remade as the favorite daughter of Zeus, born fully armed from his forehead after he swallowed her mother, Metis.<ref>Harrison's famous characterisation of this myth-element as "a desperate theological expedient to rid an earth-born Kore of her matriarchal conditions" has never been refuted (Harrison 1922:302).</ref>  The story of her birth comes in several versions. In the one most commonly cited, Zeus lay with [[Metis (mythology)|Metis]], the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than the sire,<ref>Compare the prophecy concerning [[Thetis]].</ref> even Zeus himself.  In order to forestall these dire consequences, after lying with her, Zeus "put her away inside his own belly;" he "swallowed her down of a sudden,>"<ref>Hesiod, ''[[Theogony]]'' 890ff and 924ff.</ref>  He was too late: Metis had already conceived a child. When it came time, Zeus was in great pain; [[Prometheus]], [[Hephaestus]], [[Hermes]] or [[Palaemon]] (depending on the sources examined) cleaved Zeus's head with the double-headed Minoan axe (the [[labrys]] of the Great Goddess). Athena leaped from Zeus's head, fully grown and armed with a shout, "and pealed to the broad sky her clarion cry of war. And Ouranos  trembled to hear, and Mother Gaia" {[[Pindar]], ''Seventh Olympian Ode'').  
  
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==Name, etymology and origin==
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Hera was so annoyed at Zeus producing a child apparently on his own that she caused herself to conceive and bear [[Hephaestus]] by herself. Metis never bore any more children, and Zeus persisted as supreme ruler of Mount Olympus.
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[[Image:PallasGiustiniani.jpg|thumb|200px|The ''[[Athena Giustiniani]]'', a Roman copy of a Greek statue of Pallas Athena (Vatican Museums)]]
 
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Athena's name is possibly of [[Lydian]] origin.<ref>G. Neumann, [article title missing] ''Kadmos'' '''6''' (1967).</ref> It may be a compound word derived in part from [[Tyrrhenian languages|Tyrrhenian]] "ati", meaning "mother" and the name of the [[Hurrian]] Goddess "[[Hannahannah]]" shortened in various places to "Ana". In [[Mycenaean Greek]], she possibly appears in a single inscription in the [[Linear B]] tablets: ''A-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja'' ''/Athana potniya/'' appears on a text from the Late Minoan II-era "Room of the Chariot Tablets" in [[Knossos]], the earliest Linear B archive anywhere.<ref>Kn V 52 (text 208 in Ventris and Chadwick). </ref> Though this phrase is often translated as "Mistress Athena", it literally means "the ''potnia'' of At(h)ana", which perhaps means "the Lady of Athens";<ref>Palaima, p. 444.</ref> it is uncertain whether there is any connection to the city of Athens.<ref>Burkert, p. 44.</ref> We also find ''A-ta-no-dju-wa-ja'' ''/Athana diwya/'', the final part being the Linear B spelling of what we know from ancient Greek as ''Diwia'' (Mycenaean ''di-u-ja'' or ''di-wi-ja'') "divine" Athena was also a weaver and the god of crafts. (see ''[[dyeus]]'').<ref>Ventris and Chadwick [page missing]</ref> The name Athens comes from Athena
 
  
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In his dialogue ''[[Cratylus (dialogue)|Cratylus]]'', [[Plato]] gives the etymology of Athena's name based on the view of the ancient Athenians,<ref>''"That is a graver matter, and there, my friend, the modern interpreters of Homer may, I think, assist in explaining the view of the ancients. For most of these in their explanations of the poet, assert that he meant by Athene "mind" (nous) and "intelligence" (dianoia), and the maker of names appears to have had a singular notion about her; and indeed calls her by a still higher title, "divine intelligence" (Thou noesis), as though he would say: This is she who has the mind of God (Theonoa);- using a as a dialectical variety e, and taking away i and s. Perhaps, however, the name Theonoe may mean "she who knows divine things" (Theia noousa) better than others. Nor shall we be far wrong in supposing that the author of it wished to identify this Goddess with moral intelligence (en ethei noesin), and therefore gave her the name ethonoe; which, however, either he or his successors have altered into what they thought a nicer form, and called her Athene''". (Cratylus 407b). </ref> from ''A-theo-noa'' (A-θεο-νόα) or ''E-theo-noa'' (H-θεο-νόα) meaning "the mind of God" (''Cratylus'' 407b). [[Plato]], and also [[Herodotus]], noted that the Egyptian citizens of [[Sais]] in Egypt worshipped a goddess whose Egyptian name was [[Neith]];<ref>"''The citizens have a deity for their foundress; she is called in the Egyptian tongue Neith, and is asserted by them to be the same whom the Hellenes call Athene; they are great lovers of the Athenians, and say that they are in some way related to them"''. ('' [[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]'' 21e)</ref> they identified her with Athena. (''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]'' 21e), (''[[Histories (Herodotus)|Histories]]'' 2:170-175).
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===Other origin tales===
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Fragments attributed by the Christian [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] to the semi-legendary [[Phoenicia]]n historian [[Sanchuniathon]], which Eusebius thought had been written before the [[Trojan war]], make Athena instead the daughter of [[Cronus]], a king of [[Byblos]] who is said to have visited 'the inhabitable world' and bequeathed [[Attica]] to Athena.
  
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==Epithets and cult titles==
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===Pallas Athena===
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In poetry  from Homer onward, Athena's most common [[epithets in Homer|epithet]] is ''glaukopis'' (γλαυκώπις), which is usually translated "bright-eyed" or "with gleaming eyes".<ref>Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, 1940, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', ISBN 0-19-864226-1, [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0058%3Aentry%3D%236935 online version] at the [[Perseus Project]]</ref> It is a combination of ''glaukos'' (γλαύκος, meaning "gleaming," "silvery," and later, "bluish-green" or "gray") and ''ops'' (ώψ, "eye," or sometimes, "face"). It is interesting to note that ''glaux'' (γλαύξ, "owl") is from the same root, presumably because of its own distinctive eyes. The bird which sees in the night is closely associated with the goddess of wisdom: in archaic images, she is frequently depicted with an owl perched on her head. In earlier times, Athena may well have been a [[bird goddess]], similar to the unknown goddess depicted with owls, wings and bird talons on the [[Burney relief]], a Mesopotamian terracotta relief of the early second millennium B.C.E..
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The major competing tradition regarding Athena's parentage involves some of her more mysterious epithets: Pallas, as in Ancient Greek {{polytonic|Παλλάς Άθήνη}} (also Pallantias) and Tritogeneia (also Trito, Tritonis, Tritoneia, Tritogenes). A separate entity named [[Pallas (disambiguation)|Pallas]] is invoked – as one or more of Athena's father, sister, foster-sister, or opponent in battle. In every case, Athena kills Pallas and thereby gains the name for herself.  
  
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In the ''[[Iliad]]'' (4.514), the [[Homeric Hymns]] and in [[Hesiod]]'s ''[[Theogony]]'', she is given the curious epithet ''Tritogeneia.''  The meaning of this term is unclear. It seems to mean "[[Triton (mythology)|Triton]]-born," perhaps indicating that the sea-god was her father according to some early myths,<ref>Karl Kerenyi suggests that "Tritogeneia did not mean that she came into the world on any particular river or lake, but that she was born of the water itself;  for the name Triton seems to be associated with water generally." (Kerenyi, p. 128).</ref> or, less likely, that she was born near Lake Triton in [[Africa]]. Another possible meaning is "triple-born" or "third-born," which may refer to her status as the third daughter of Zeus or the fact she was born from Metis, Zeus and herself; various legends list her as being the first child after Artemis and Apollo, though other legends identify her as Zeus' first child.
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When Pallas is Athena's father the events, including her birth, are located near a body of water named Triton or [[Lake Tritonis|Tritonis]]. When Pallas is Athena's sister or foster-sister, Athena's father or foster-father is himself [[Triton (mythology)|Triton]], the son and herald of [[Poseidon]]. But Athena may be called the daughter of Poseidon and a nymph named Tritonis without involving Pallas. Likewise, Pallas may be Athena's father or opponent without involving Triton.
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<ref>Graves, Robert, ''The Greek Myths I'', "The Birth of Athena," 8.a.</ref><ref>Graves, p. 51.</ref>
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<ref>The story comes from [[Libyan]] (modern [[Berbers]]) where the Greek Athena and the Egyptian [[Neith]] blend in to one god. The story is not so often referenced because some facts contradict other more well documented facts. Frazer, vol. 2 p.41</ref>
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On this topic, Walter Burkert says "she is the Pallas of Athens, ''Pallas Athenaie'', just as Hera of Argos is ''Here Argeie''.<ref>Burkert, p. 139.</ref> For the Athenians, Burkert notes, Athena was simply "the Goddess", ''he theos'', certainly an ancient title.
  
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In her role as judge at [[Orestes (mythology)|Orestes']] trial on the murder of his mother, [[Clytemnestra]] (which he won), Athena won the epithet ''Athena Areia.''
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===''Athena Parthenos'': Virgin Athena===
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[[Image:Athena ciste.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Helmeted Athena with the ''cista'' and Erichthonius in his serpent form. Roman, 1st century ([[Louvre Museum]])]]
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Athena never had a consort or lover, and thus was also known as ''Athena Parthenos'', "Virgin Athena." Her most famous temple, the [[Parthenon]], on the [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]] in [[Athens]] takes its name from this title. It was not merely an observation of her virginity, but a recognition of her role as enforcer of rules of sexual modesty and ritual mystery. This role is expressed in a number of stories about Athena.
  
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===Pallas and Athena: Pallas Athena===
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====Erichthonius====
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She was often referred to as Pallas Athena (Ancient Greek {{polytonic|Παλλάς Άθήνη}}, modern Greek Παλλάς Αθηνά). The epithet derived from an ambiguous figure named [[Pallas (disambiguation)|Pallas]], sometimes male, sometimes female, mentioned apart from Athena only as a family of characters in [[Vergil]]'s [[Aeneid]]. According to some sources, [[Pallas (daughter of Triton)|Pallas]], the playmate of [[Athena]], was a daughter of the god [[Triton (god)|Triton]] (or Tritonis), Athena's foster-father. The goddess killed Pallas, in some versions by mistake. For instance, in a Pelasgian version of her birth myth Pallas was the playmate whom Athena killed by mistake in a game battle, Afterwards she addeed the name of Pallas to her own as a sign of mourning.<ref>Graves, p. 51.</ref> She also carved from a tree trunk a wooden [[cult image]] (''[[xoanon]]'') of Pallas, the [[Palladium (mythology)|Palladium]], which she left with Zeus. Later [[Electra]], whom Zeus seduced, took refuge behind this palladium; Zeus tossed it away and it fell upon the land of Ilium ([[Troy]]), where [[Ilus]] had a temple built for it.
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[[Hephaestus]] attempted to [[rape]] Athena but she eluded him. His [[semen]] fell on the ground, and [[Erichthonius of Athens|Erichthonius]] was born from the Earth, [[Gaia (mythology)|Gaia]]. Athena then raised the baby as a foster mother.<ref>Pseudo-Apollodorus, [[Bibliotheke]]'' 3.14.6.</ref>
  
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In the [[Homeric Hymn]] to Hermes, [[Pallas (son of Crius)|Pallas]] was the father of the moon goddess [[Selene]]. In other versions [[Pallas (Giant)|Pallas]] was one of the [[Gigantes]] killed by her in the Gigantomachy; forever after she wore the goatskin fringed with [[chthonic]] serpents of Pallas, as the protective [[aegis]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. She may have absorbed and supplanted Pallas more gently: Walter Burkert says "she is the Pallas of Athens, ''Pallas Athenaie'', just as Hera of Argos is ''Here Argeie''.<ref>Burkert, p. 139.</ref> For the Athenians, Burkert notes, she was simply "the Goddess", ''he theos'', certainly an ancient title.
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Athena put the infant Erichthonius in a small box which she entrusted to the care of three sisters, [[Herse]], [[Pandrosus]] and [[Aglaulus]], then princesses of Athens. The goddess didn't tell them what the box contained, but warned them not to open it till she returned. One or two sisters opened the ''cista'' to reveal Erichthonius, in the form (or embrace) of a [[serpent (symbolism)|serpent]]. The serpent, or insanity induced by the sight, drives Herse and Pandrosus to threw themselves off the [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]].<ref>Graves, Robert, ''The Greek Myths I'', "The Nature and Deeds of Athena" 25.d.</ref>
  
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Other sources claim that Pallas was an older local god conflated with Athena by the Athenians.<ref>The story comes from [[Libyan]] (modern [[Berbers]]) where the Greek [[Athena]] and the Egyptian [[Neith]] blend in to one god. The story is not so often referenced because some facts contradict other more well documented facts. Frazer, vol. 2 p.41</ref>
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Jane Harrison (''Prolegomena'') finds this to be a simple cautionary tale directed at young girls carrying the ''cista'' in the [[Thesmophoria]] rituals, to discourage them from opening it outside the proper context.
  
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===Other cult titles===
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Erichthonius later became [[King of Athens]] and implemented many beneficial changes to Athenian culture. During this time, Athena frequently protected him.
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Athena was given many other cult titles. She had the epithet ''Athena Ergane'' as the patron of craftsmen and artisans. With the epithet ''[[Athena Parthenos]]'' ("virgin"), Athena was worshiped on the [[Acropolis]], especially in the festival of the [[Panathenaea]]. With the epithet ''Athena Promachos'' she led in battle. With the epithet ''Athena Polias'' ("of the city"), Athena was the protectress of Athens and its Acropolis, but also of many other cities, including [[Argos]], [[Sparta]], [[Gortyn]], [[Lindos]], and [[Larisa]]. She was given the epithet ''[[Hippeia | Athena Hippeia]]'' or ''Athena Hippia'' as the inventor of the chariot, and was worshipped under this title at Athens, [[Tegea]] and [[Olympia]]. As Athena Hippeia she was given an alternative parentage: [[Poseidon]] and [[Polyphe]], daughter of [[Oceanus]]. <ref>[http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphePolyphe.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.theoi.com/Cult/AthenaTitles.html] </ref>. In each of these cities her temple was frequently the major temple on the acropolis.<ref>Burkert, p. 140.</ref>
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<!-- Her role as the virgin mother of [[Erichthonius]] was a relic of an archaic myth of the patron goddess of ''Athenai'' that preceded her placement among the Olympian pantheon. —>
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[[Image:Ac.parthenon5.jpg|thumb|left|The Parthenon, Temple of Athena Parthenos]]
 
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Athena was often equated with [[Aphaea]], a local goddess of the island of [[Aegina]], located near [[Athens]], once Aegina was under Athenian's power.  
 
  
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==In classical art==
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There is another version of the myth of the Athenian princesses, told in [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses (poem)|Metamorphoses]]'' in which [[Hermes]] falls in love with Herse. Herse, Aglaulus and Pandrosus go to the temple to offer sacrifices to Athena. Hermes demands help from Aglaulusto seduce Herse. Aglaulus demands money in exchange. Hermes gives her the money the sisters had already offered to Athena.
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[[Image: AttalusICorrected.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Athena depicted on the obverse side of a [[coin]] of [[Attalus I]]]]
 
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Athena is classically portrayed wearing full armor, with the helmet raised high on the forehead like a hat; she carries a spear and a shield with the head of the [[gorgon]] [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]] mounted on it.  It is in this standing posture that she was depicted in [[Phidias]]'s famous lost gold and ivory statue of her, 36 feet<!--meters?—> tall, the [[Athena Parthenos]] in the [[Parthenon]].  Athena is also often depicted with an [[owl]] (a symbol of wisdom) sitting on one of her shoulders. The [[Mourning Athena]] is a relief sculpture that dates around 460 B.C.E. and portrays a tired, emotional Athena.<!--not a good interpretation—>
 
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In earlier, archaic portraits of Athena in [[Black-figure pottery]], the goddess retains some of her Minoan character, such as great bird wings.
 
  
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Apart from her attributes, there seems to be a relative consensus in sculpture from the fifth century onward as to what Athena looked like. Most noticeable in the face is perhaps  a high nose with a high bridge that almost seems like a natural extension of the forehead. The eyes are typically somewhat deeply set. The lips are usually full but the mouth is fairly narrow, usually just slightly wider than the nose. The neck is somewhat longish. The net result is a serene, somewhat aloof beauty.
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As punishment for Aglaulus's greed, Athena asks the goddess Envy to make Aglaulus jealous of Herse. When Hermes arrives to seduce Herse, Aglaulus stands in his way instead of helping him as she had agreed. He turns her to stone.<ref>[[Ovid]], ''Metamorphoses'', X. Aglaura, Book II, 708-751; XI. The Envy, Book II, 752-832.</ref>
  
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==History==
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====Medusa and Tiresias====
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=== Birth ===
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Medusa, unlike her two sister-Gorgons, was mortal and extremely beautiful. But she had sex with — or was raped by — Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Upon discovering the desecration of her temple, Athena changed Medusa's form to match that of her sister Gorgons as punishment. Medusa's hair turned into snakes, her lower body was transformed, and meeting her gaze would turn any living creature to stone.
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<!--this exactly repeats text above—>[[Hesiod|Hesiod's]] ''[[Theogony]]'' gives the following account of Athena's birth: Metis, the titaness of prudence, was Zeus' first wife. It was fated that if she had a son he would be able to rule the gods. Zeus, fearing that his son would overthrow him as Zeus had done to Cronus, tricked Metis and swallowed her. He ingested her and therefore her wisdom so that she might advise him in matters. However, the immortal child Metis was pregnant with was not harmed, and Athena was born from his head after he had married Hera. Hera was so annoyed at this that she gave birth to Hephaestus by herself. The son was never born and Zeus stayed as supreme ruler of Mount Olympus.
 
  
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A fuller version says: Zeus lay with Metis, the goddess of crafty thought, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than the father, and this includes even Zeus himself. In order to forestall these dire consequences, Zeus played a game with Metis. She transformed into many creatures, big and small. When Metis transformed into a fly, Zeus swallowed her immediately after lying with her. He was too late: Metis was already pregnant. Metis immediately began making a helmet and robe for her fetal daughter. The hammering as she made the helmet caused Zeus great pain and Hephaestus cut open Zeus's skull with the double-headed Minoan axe (labrys). Athena leaped from Zeus's skull, fully grown and armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the experience. This is the most common version of her birth.
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In one version of the [[Tiresias]] myth, Tiresias stumbled upon Athena bathing, and was blinded by her nakedness.<ref>Graves, Robert, ''The Greek Myths I'',"The Nature and Deeds of Athena" 25.g.</ref> To compensate him for his loss, she sent serpents to lick his ears, which gave him the gift of prophecy.
  
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Aside from Hesiod's account given above, there is another version of her birth of Pelasgian origin, accounting for her epithet ''Tritoneia''; according this version Athena was born near the lagoon Tritonis in Libya and was raised by three nymphs. There are a very few references to her being the child of a giant named Pallas—-hence her name "Pallas Athena"---but these are atypical.<ref>Graves, Robert, ''The Greek Myths I'', "The Birth of Athena," 8.a.</ref>
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===Lady of Athens===
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Athena competed with [[Poseidon]] to be the patron deity of Athens, which was yet unnamed in this telling. They agreed that each would give the Athenians one gift and that the Athenians would choose the gift they preferred.  Poseidon struck the ground with his [[trident]] and a spring sprang up; this gave them a means of trade and water, but it was salty and not very good for drinking. (In an alternate version, Poseidon offered the first horse.) Athena, however, offered them the first domesticated [[olive tree]]. The Athenians (or their king, [[Cecrops]]) accepted the olive tree and along with it Athena as their patron, for the olive tree brought wood, oil and food. This is thought{{who}} to commemorate a clash between the inhabitants during [[Mycenae]]an times and newer immigrants. It is interesting to note that Athens at its height was a significant sea power, defeating the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] fleet at the [[Battle of Salamis]] near [[Salamis Island]] in [[480 B.C.E.]]. Athena was also the patron goddess of several other cities, notably [[Sparta]].
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<!—Another interesting and arguable reason for why the Athenians chose Athena's olive tree over Poseidon's horses and spring was because Poseidon was known to be a very difficult deity to please and often wrought havoc even upon his cities. Athena was a better choice because of her less violent personality and the Athenians did not wish to have to encounter Poseidon's wrath in future.
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{{fact}}—>
  
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=== Erichthonius ===
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===Counselor===
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[[Image:Athena ciste.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Helmeted Athena with the ''[[cista]]'' and Erichthonius in his serpent form. Roman, 1st century ([[Louvre Museum]])]]
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[[Image:Bust Athena Velletri Glyptothek Munich 213.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Bust of Athena in the [[Munich]] [[Glyptothek]].]]
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According to [[Apollodorus]], [[Hephaestus]] attempted to [[rape]] Athena but was unsuccessful. His [[semen]] fell on the ground, and [[Erichthonius of Athens|Erichthonius]] was born from the Earth, [[Gaia (mythology)|Gaia]]. Athena then raised the baby as a foster mother. Alternatively, the semen landed on Athena's leg, and she wiped it off with a piece of wool which she tossed on the ground. Erichthonius arose from the ground and the wool. Another version says that Hephaestus wanted Athena to marry him but she disappeared on his bridal bed; he ejaculated onto the ground instead.  Athena left the baby to three sisters, [[Herse]], [[Pandrosus|Pandrosa]] and [[Aglaulus|Aglaura]] in a small box and warned them  never to open it. Aglaula opened the ''[[cista]]''  which contained the infant and future-king, Erichthonius, in the form of a [[serpent (symbolism)|serpent]] The sight caused Herse and Pandrosa to go insane and they threw themselves off the [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]]'.
 
  
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An alternative version of the same story is that while Athena was gone to bring a mountain to use in the Acropolis, two of the willful sisters opened the box. A crow witnessed the opening and flew away to tell Athena, who fell into a rage and dropped the mountain (now [[Mt. Lykabettos]]).<ref>Graves, Robert, ''The Greek Myths I'', "The Nature and Deeds of Athena" 25.d.</ref> The crow was not spared from her wrath, and it is believed Athena was the one who turned their feathers black. Herse and Pandrosa once again went insane and threw themselves to their deaths off a cliff. Jane Harrison (''Prolegomena'')  finds these to be versions of a simple cautionary tale to discourage young girls from opening the ''[[cista]]'' that they carried, not knowing its contents, in connection with the [[Thesmophoria]].
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Athena guided [[Perseus (mythology)|Perseus]] in his quest to behead [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]]. She instructed [[Heracles]] to skin the [[Nemean Lion]] by using its own claws to cut through its thick hide. She also helped Heracles to defeat the [[Stymphalian Birds]], and to navigate the underworld so as to capture [[Cerberos]].
  
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Erichthonius later became [[King of Athens]] and implemented many beneficial changes to Athenian culture. During this time, Athena frequently protected him.
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[[Odysseus]]' cunning and shrewd nature quickly won Athena's favor, though she is largely confined to aiding him only from afar (implanting thoughts in his head) during his journey home from Troy. It is not until he washes up on the shore of an island where Nausicaa is washing her clothes that Athena can actually arrive herself to provide more tangible assistance. She appears in Nausicaa's dreams to ensure the princess rescues Odysseus and eventually sends him to Ithaca.  Athena, herself, appears in disguise to Odysseus upon his arrival. She initially lies and tells him Penelope, his wife, has remarried and Odysseus is believed to be dead, though Odysseus lies to her, seeing through her disguise.  Pleased with his resolve and shrewdness, she reveals herself to him and tells him everything he needed to know in order to win back his kingdom. She disguises him as an elderly man so that he will not be noticed by the Suitors or Penelope and she helps Odysseus defeat his suitors and end the feud against their relatives.
  
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===Aglaura===
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==Cult and attributes==
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Her [[epithet]]s included {{polytonic|Άτρυτώνη}}, ''Atrytone'' (= the unwearying), {{polytonic|Παρθένος}}, ''Parthénos'' (= virgin), and {{polytonic|Ή Πρόμαχος}}, ''Promachos'' (the pre-fighter/-tress, i. e. ''the person who fights in front'').
  
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There is another version of the myth, told in [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses (poem)|Metamorphoses]]'' in which Hermes falls in love with Herse. Herse, Aglaura and Pandrosa go to the temple to offer sacrifices to Athena. Hermes demands help from Aglaura to seduce Herse. Aglaura in exchange demands money from Hermes who gives her the money of sacrifice and seduces Herse.<ref>[[Ovid]], ''Metamorphoses'', X. Aglaura, Book II, 708-751.</ref> Athena in punishment for Aglaura's greed asks the Envy to corrupt her feelings. Envy obeyed  her commands and she infested Herse. Aglaura turns to stone.<ref>[[Ovid]], ''Metamorphoses'', XI. The Envy. Aglaura as result of this, turns to a statue, Book II, 752-832.</ref>
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In poetry from Homer onward, Athena's most common [[epithets in Homer|epithet]] is ''glaukopis'' (γλαυκώπις), which is usually translated "bright-eyed" or "with gleaming eyes".<ref>Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, 1940, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', ISBN 0-19-864226-1, [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0058%3Aentry%3D%236935 online version] at the [[Perseus Project]]</ref> It is a combination of ''glaukos'' (γλαύκος, meaning "gleaming," "silvery," and later, "bluish-green" or "gray") and ''ops'' (ώψ, "eye," or sometimes, "face"). It is interesting to note that ''glaux'' (γλαύξ, "owl") is from the same root, presumably because of its own distinctive eyes. The bird which sees in the night is closely associated with the goddess of wisdom: in archaic images, she is frequently depicted with an owl perched on her head. In earlier times, Athena may well have been a [[bird goddess]], similar to the unknown goddess depicted with owls, wings and bird talons on the [[Burney relief]], a Mesopotamian terracotta relief of the early second millennium B.C.E..
  
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=== Athens ===
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In the ''[[Iliad]]'' (4.514), the [[Homeric Hymns]] and in [[Hesiod]]'s ''[[Theogony]]'', she is given the curious epithet ''Tritogeneia.''  The meaning of this term is unclear. It seems to mean "[[Triton (mythology)|Triton]]-born," perhaps indicating that the sea-god was her father according to some early myths,<ref>Karl Kerenyi suggests that "Tritogeneia did not mean that she came into the world on any particular river or lake, but that she was born of the water itself;  for the name Triton seems to be associated with water generally." (Kerenyi, p. 128).</ref> or, less likely, that she was born near Lake Triton in [[Africa]]. Another possible meaning is "triple-born" or "third-born," which may refer to her status as the third daughter of Zeus or the fact she was born from Metis, Zeus and herself; various legends list her as being the first child after Artemis and Apollo, though other legends identify her as Zeus' first child.
  
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Athena competed with [[Poseidon]] to be the patron deity of Athens, which was yet unnamed in this telling. They agreed that each would give the Athenians one gift and that the Athenians would choose the gift they preferred.  Poseidon struck the ground with his [[trident]] and a spring sprung up; this gave them a means of trade and water, but it was salty and not very good for drinking. Athena, however, offered them the first domesticated [[olive tree]].  The Athenians (or their king, [[Cecrops]]) accepted the olive tree and along with it Athena as their patron, for the olive tree brought wood, oil and food.  This is thought to commemorate a clash between the inhabitants during [[Mycenae]]an times and newer immigrants.  It is interesting to note that Athens at its height was a significant sea power, defeating the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] fleet at the [[Battle of Salamis]] near [[Salamis Island]] in [[480 B.C.E.]]. Athena was also the patron goddess of several other cities, notably [[Sparta]].
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In her role as judge at [[Orestes (mythology)|Orestes']] trial on the murder of his mother, [[Clytemnestra]] (which he won), Athena won the epithet ''Athena Areia.''
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In an alternate version, Poseidon invents the first horse.  Athena's gift is still chosen.
 
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<!--Another interesting and arguable reason for why the Athenians chose Athena's olive tree over Poseidon's horses and spring was because Poseidon was known to be a very difficult deity to please and often wrought havoc even upon his cities. Athena was a better choice because of her less violent personality and the Athenians did not wish to have to encounter Poseidon's wrath in future.
 
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{{fact}}—>
 
  
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=== Arachne ===
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Athena was later associated with the application of philosophy to cult in the fifth century. She remained the patroness of [[weaving]], [[crafts]] and the more disciplined side of [[war]]<ref>Violence and bloodlust were [[Ares]]' domain.</ref>. Athena's wisdom encompasses the technical knowledge employed in weaving, metal-working, but also includes the cunning intelligence (''[[metis]]'') of such figures as [[Odysseus]].
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A woman named [[Arachne]] once boasted that she was a superior weaver to Athena, the goddess of weaving. Athena appeared to her disguised as an old woman and told Arachne to repent for her [[hubris]] but Arachne instead challenged Athena to a contest. Athena threw off her disguise and the contest began.  Athena wove a depiction of the conflict with Poseidon over Athens, while Arachne wove a depiction making fun of Zeus and his many wives. Athena was furious at her skill (the contest was never decided) and her choice of subject (after all, she is Zeus's favorite daughter). Enraged, she destroyed Arachne's work. Arachne was so humilated by the contest that she hung herself. Athena felt sorry for what she had done and transformed Arachne into the first [[spider]], which forever weaves a [[silk]] web to catch its food.<ref>[[Ovid]], ''Metamorphoses'',I. Pallas and Arachne, Book VI, 1-145; the sentiment inherent in Ovid's narrative and its ascription of human emotions, reveal its late date in this version.</ref>
 
  
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===Perseus and Medusa===
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The [[owl]] and the [[olive]] tree are sacred to her. She is attended by an owl, and is often accompanied by the goddess of victory, [[Nike (mythology)|Nike]]. Wearing a goatskin breastplate called the [[Aegis]] given to her by her father, [[Zeus]],<ref>Zeus is also "Aegis-bearing Zeus".</ref>, she is often shown helmeted and with a shield bearing the [[Gorgon]] [[Medusa]]'s head, a [[votive gift]] of [[Perseus]]. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as the counselor of many heroes, including [[Heracles]], [[Jason]], and [[Odysseus]].
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[[Image:Bust Athena Velletri Glyptothek Munich 213.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Bust of Athena in the [[Munich]] [[Glyptothek]].]]
 
  
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Athena guided [[Perseus (mythology)|Perseus]] in eliminating [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]], a dangerous unreformed relic of the old pre-Olympian order, and she was awarded the grisly trophy that turned men to stone, for her shield.
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[[Image:parthenon.jpg|thumb|left|The Parthenon, Temple of Athena Parthenos]]
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Athena was given many other cult titles. She had the epithet ''Athena Ergane'' as the patron of craftsmen and artisans. With the epithet ''[[Athena Parthenos]]'' ("virgin"), Athena was worshiped on the [[Acropolis]], especially in the festival of the [[Panathenaea]]. With the epithet ''Athena Promachos'' she led in battle. With the epithet ''Athena Polias'' ("of the city"), Athena was the protectress of Athens and its Acropolis, but also of many other cities, including [[Argos]], [[Sparta]], [[Gortyn]], [[Lindos]], and [[Larisa]]. She was given the epithet ''[[Hippeia|Athena Hippeia]]'' or ''Athena Hippia'' as the inventor of the chariot, and was worshipped under this title at Athens, [[Tegea]] and [[Olympia]]. As Athena Hippeia she was given an alternative parentage: [[Poseidon]] and [[Polyphe]], daughter of [[Oceanus]]. <ref>[http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphePolyphe.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.theoi.com/Cult/AthenaTitles.html] </ref>. In each of these cities her temple was frequently the major temple on the acropolis.<ref>Burkert, p. 140.</ref>
 +
Athena was often equated with [[Aphaea]], a local goddess of the island of [[Aegina]], located near [[Athens]], once Aegina was under Athenian's power.
  
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She wears the aegis, a goatskin shield which had a fringe of snakes. When Perseus killed the gorgon Medusa, whose face turned men to stone, he gave the gorgon head to Athena, and the goddess placed it on her aegis. This is a protective measure, for the Medusa's head retained its petrifying power even after her death.
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====Arachne====
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The fable of '''Arachne''' is a late addition to [[Greek mythology]],<ref>The tale is recorded in [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses (poem)|Metamorphoses]]'' ( (vi.5-54 and 129-145) and mentioned in [[Virgil]]'s ''[[Georgics]]'', iv, 246.</ref>  that does not appear in the myth repertory of the Attic vase-painters. Arachne's name simply means "spider" (αράχνη). Arachne was the daughter of a famous dyer in [[Tyrian purple]] in Hypaipa of [[Lydia]]. She became so conceited of her skill as a weaver that she began claiming that her skill was greater than that of Athena herself.
  
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It was, however, Athena who made Medusa into what she was. Medusa was the only beautiful sister of the three Gorgons, but, Medusa had sex with — or was raped by — Poseidon in Athena's temple. Upon discovery of the desecration of her temple, Athena changed Medusa's form to match that of her sister Gorgons as punishment. Medusa's hair turned into snakes, meeting her gaze would turn all living creatures to stone, and Athena also caused her lower body to morph, as well as granting her the power of petrification as to hinder all chances of her ever having intimacy with a man.
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Athena gave Arachne a chance to redeem herself by assuming the form of an old woman and warning Arachne not to offend the gods. Arachne scoffed and wished for a weaving contest, so she could prove her skill.
  
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=== Hercules ===
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Athena wove the scene of her victory over [[Poseidon]] that had inspired her patronage of Athens.  According to the Latin narrative, Arachne's tapestry featured twenty-one episodes of the infidelity of the gods: Jupiter being unfaithful with [[Leda (mythology)|Leda]],  with [[Europa (mythical)|Europa]], with [[Danae]].
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Athena instructed [[Hercules]] how to remove the skin from the [[Nemean Lion]], by using the lion's own claws to cut through its thick hide. The lion's hide became Hercules' signature garment, along with the olive-wood club he used in the battle. Athena also assisted Hercules on a few other labors.
 
  
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She also helped Hercules defeat the [[Stymphalian Birds]], along with [[Hephaestus]].
+
Even Athena admitted that Arachne's work was flawless, but was outraged at Arachne's disrespectful choice of subjects that displayed the failings and transgressions of the gods.<ref>This takes for granted a late, moralizing view of Greek myth.</ref>  Finally losing her temper, Athena destroyed Arachne's tapestry and loom, striking it with her shuttle, Arachne realized her folly and hanged herself.
  
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=== Tiresias and Chariclo ===
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In Ovid's telling, Athena took pity on Arachne who was changed into a spider. The story suggests that the origin of weaving lay in imitation of spiders and that it was considered to have been perfected first in [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]].
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In one version of the [[Tiresias]] myth, Athena blinded Tiresias after he stumbled onto her bathing naked. His mother, [[Chariclo]], begged her to undo her curse,{{Fact|date=February 2007}} but Athena could not do so; she gave him the ability of prophecy instead.<ref>Graves, Robert, ''The Greek Myths I'',"The Nature and Deeds of Athena" 25.g.</ref>
 
  
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===Odysseus===
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==In classical art==
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[[Odysseus]]' cunning and shrewd nature quickly won Athena's favour, though she is largely confined to aiding him only from afar (implanting thoughts in his head) during his journey home from Troy. It is not until he washes up on the shore of an island where Nausicaa is washing her clothes that Athena can actually arrive herself to provide more tangible assistance. She appears in Nausicaa's dreams to ensure the princess rescues Odysseus and eventually sends him to Ithaca.  Athena, herself, appears in disguise to Odysseus upon his arrival.  She initially lies and tells him Penelope, his wife, has remarried and Odysseus is believed to be dead, though Odysseus lies to her, seeing through her disguise.  Pleased with his resolve and shrewdness, she reveals herself to him and tells him everything he needed to know in order to win back his kingdom. She disguises him as an elderly man so that he will not be noticed by the Suitors or Penelope and she helps Odysseus defeat his suitors and end the feud against their relatives.
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[[Image:AttalusICorrected.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Athena depicted on the obverse side of a [[coin]] of [[Attalus I]]]]
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Athena is classically portrayed wearing full armor, with the helmet raised high on the forehead like a hat; she carries a spear and a shield with the head of the [[gorgon]] [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]] mounted on it. It is in this standing posture that she was depicted in [[Phidias]]'s famous lost gold and ivory statue of her, 36 feet<!--meters?—> tall, the [[Athena Parthenos]] in the [[Parthenon]].  Athena is also often depicted with an [[owl]] (a symbol of wisdom) sitting on one of her shoulders.  The [[Mourning Athena]] is a relief sculpture that dates around 460 B.C.E. and portrays a tired, emotional Athena.<!--not a good interpretation—>
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In earlier, archaic portraits of Athena in [[Black-figure pottery]], the goddess retains some of her Minoan character, such as great bird wings.
  
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Apart from her attributes, there seems to be a relative consensus in sculpture from the fifth century onward as to what Athena looked like. Most noticeable in the face is perhaps  a high nose with a high bridge that almost seems like a natural extension of the forehead. The eyes are typically somewhat deeply set. The lips are usually full but the mouth is fairly narrow, usually just slightly wider than the nose. The neck is somewhat longish. The net result is a serene, somewhat aloof beauty.
  
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==Name, etymology and origin==
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[[Image:PallasGiustiniani.jpg|thumb|200px|The ''[[Athena Giustiniani]]'', a Roman copy of a Greek statue of Pallas Athena (Vatican Museums)]]
  
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==In post-classical culture ==
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She had a special relationship with [[Athens]], as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the goddess and the city.<ref>"Whether the goddess was named after the city or the city after the goddess is an ancient dispute" (Burkert, p. 139).</ref> Athena is associated with [[Athens]], a plural name because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood, the ''Athenai'', in earliest times: "[Mycenae] was the city where the Goddess was called Mykene, and Mycenae is named in the plural for the sisterhood of females who tended her there. At [[Thebes (Greece)|Thebes]] she was called Thebe, and the city again a plural, Thebae (or Thebes, where the 's' is the plural formation).  Similarly, at Athens she was called Athena, and the city Athenae (or Athens, again a plural)." <ref>Ruck and Staples 1994:24.</ref>  Whether her name is attested in [[Eteocretan]] or not will have to wait for decipherment of [[Linear A]].
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[[Image:Vienna Pallas closeup.jpg|thumb|250px|A neoclassical statue of Athena stands in front of the [[Austrian Parliament Building]] in Vienna.]]
 
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Athena (Minerva) is the subject of the $50 1915-S Panama-Pacific [[commemorative coin]]. At 2.5 troy oz (78 g) gold, this is the largest (by [[weight]]) coin ever produced by the [[United States Mint|U.S. Mint]]. This was the first $50 coin issued by the U.S. Mint and no higher was produced until the production of the $100 platinum coins in 1997. Of course, in terms of face-value in adjusted dollars, the 1915 is the highest denomination ever issued by the U.S. Mint.
 
  
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For over a century [[Parthenon (Nashville)|full-scale replica of the Parthenon]] has stood in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], which is known as the Athens of the South. In 1990, a gilded 41 foot (12.5 m) tall [[Athena Parthenos|replica of Phidias' statue]] of the goddess was added.
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Athena's name is possibly of [[Lydian]] origin.<ref>G. Neumann, [article title missing] ''Kadmos'' '''6''' (1967).</ref> It may be a compound word derived in part from [[Tyrrhenian languages|Tyrrhenian]] "ati", meaning "mother" and the name of the [[Hurrian]] Goddess "[[Hannahannah]]" shortened in various places to "Ana".  In [[Mycenaean Greek]], she possibly appears in a single inscription in the [[Linear B]] tablets: ''A-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja'' ''/Athana potniya/'' appears on a text from the Late Minoan II-era "Room of the Chariot Tablets" in [[Knossos]], the earliest Linear B archive anywhere.<ref>Kn V 52 (text 208 in Ventris and Chadwick). </ref> Though this phrase is often translated as "Mistress Athena", it literally means "the ''potnia'' of At(h)ana", which perhaps means "the Lady of Athens";<ref>Palaima, p. 444.</ref> it is uncertain whether there is any connection to the city of Athens.<ref>Burkert, p. 44.</ref> We also find ''A-ta-no-dju-wa-ja'' ''/Athana diwya/'', the final part being the Linear B spelling of what we know from ancient Greek as ''Diwia'' (Mycenaean ''di-u-ja'' or ''di-wi-ja'') "divine" Athena was also a weaver and the god of crafts. (see ''[[dyeus]]'').<ref>Ventris and Chadwick [page missing]</ref>
  
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The state [[seal of California]] features an image of Athena (or [[Minerva]]) kneeling next to a brown grizzly bear.[http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=97]
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In his dialogue ''[[Cratylus (dialogue)|Cratylus]]'', [[Plato]] gives the etymology of Athena's name based on the view of the ancient Athenians,<ref>''"That is a graver matter, and there, my friend, the modern interpreters of Homer may, I think, assist in explaining the view of the ancients. For most of these in their explanations of the poet, assert that he meant by Athene "mind" (nous) and "intelligence" (dianoia), and the maker of names appears to have had a singular notion about her; and indeed calls her by a still higher title, "divine intelligence" (Thou noesis), as though he would say: This is she who has the mind  better than others. Nor shall we be far wrong in supposing that the author of it wished to identify this Goddess with moral intelligence (en ethei noesin), and therefore gave her the name ethonoe; which, however, either he or his successors have altered into what they thought a nicer form, and called her Athene''". (Cratylus 407b). </ref> from ''A-theo-noa'' (A-θεο-νόα) or ''E-theo-noa'' (H-θεο-νόα) meaning "the mind of God" (''Cratylus'' 407b). [[Plato]] Her name is derived from Greek Ἀθεονόα, ''Atheonóa''— which the Greeks rationalised as from god's (''theos'') mind (''nous'').
  
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She is the symbol of the [[Darmstadt University of Technology]], Germany.
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[[Herodotus]] noted that the Egyptian citizens of [[Sais]] in Egypt worshipped a goddess whose Egyptian name was [[Neith]];<ref>"''The citizens have a deity for their foundress; she is called in the Egyptian tongue Neith, and is asserted by them to be the same whom the Hellenes call Athene; they are great lovers of the Athenians, and say that they are in some way related to them"''. ('' [[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]'' 21e)</ref> they identified her with Athena. (''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]'' 21e), (''[[Histories (Herodotus)|Histories]]'' 2:170-175).
  
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The name Athena is used by two characters in both the [[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|original Battlestar Galactica]] and the [[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|reimagined]] science fiction series.
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Some authors believe that in early times, Athena was an [[owl]] herself, or a [[bird goddess]] in general: in Book 3 of the [[Odyssey]], she takes the form of a [[Sea eagle (bird)|sea-eagle]]. In the development of her iconography, starting from archaic vase-paintings, she dropped her prophylactic owl-mask before she lost her wings. "Athene, by the time she appears in art," Jane Ellen Harrison remarked, "has completely shed her animal form, has reduced the shapes she once wore of snake and bird to attributes, but occasionally in [[Black figure pottery|black-figure vase-paintings]] she still appears with wings."<ref>Harrison 1922:306. ([http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/Winged_Athena.jpg Harrison 1922:307 fig. 84: detail of a cup in the Faina collection]).</ref>  Some authors{{who}} claim her tasseled [[aegis]] may be the remnants of wings.
  
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Athena is a main character in the Masami Kurumada's manga [[Saint Seiya]].
+
==In post-classical culture==
 +
[[Image:Vienna Pallas closeup.jpg|thumb|250px|A neoclassical statue of Athena stands in front of the [[Austrian Parliament Building]] in Vienna.]]
 +
Athena (Minerva) is the subject of the $50 1915-S Panama-Pacific [[commemorative coin]]. At 2.5 troy oz (78 g) gold, this is the largest (by [[weight]]) coin ever produced by the [[United States Mint|U.S. Mint]]. This was the first $50 coin issued by the U.S. Mint and no higher was produced until the production of the $100 platinum coins in [[1997]]. Of course, in terms of face-value in adjusted dollars, the 1915 is the highest denomination ever issued by the U.S. Mint.
  
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In the video game series ''[[God of War]]'' Athena was the god's messenger to the warrior [[Kratos]] and guided him through his quest to destroy Ares. In ''[[God of War II]]'' She tries to warn him that Gaia is only using him and shouldn't side with the Titans.Kratos accidently slayed Athena when she threw herself in front his blade of Olympus to protect Zeus and tells Kratos he is Zeus' abandoned offspring and her half brother.
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For over a century [[Parthenon (Nashville)|a full-scale replica of the Parthenon]] has stood in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], which is known as the Athens of the South. In [[1990]], a gilded 41 foot (12.5 m) tall [[Athena Parthenos|replica of Phidias' statue]] of the goddess was added.
  
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In the Matrix Remake Play Athena is the mother of Neo but later disowns him for his unnatural birth. She is shown teaching Neo bulletstop and lightning vision during his childhood. Although she acts like she still hates Neo, she still shows maternal affection at times. Athena finds it amusing that Neo tries to regain his mother's favor.
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The state [[seal of California]] features an image of Athena (or [[Minerva]]) kneeling next to a brown grizzly bear.[http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=97]
  
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Athena is portrayed as a prominent character in DC Comics' [[Wonder Woman]] series.  She is shown to later surpass Zeus as leader of the Greek Gods.
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She is the symbol of the [[Darmstadt University of Technology]], Germany.
  
 
Athena's Helmet is the central feature on the [[United States Military Academy]] [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:U.S._Military_Academy_COA.png crest].
 
Athena's Helmet is the central feature on the [[United States Military Academy]] [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:U.S._Military_Academy_COA.png crest].
Line 136: Line 140:
 
*[[Seppo Telenius|Telenius, Seppo Sakari]], 2005 and 2006. ''Athena-Artemis''.
 
*[[Seppo Telenius|Telenius, Seppo Sakari]], 2005 and 2006. ''Athena-Artemis''.
 
*[[Michael Ventris|Ventris, Michael]] and [[John Chadwick]], 1973. ''Documents in Mycenaean Greek'' (Cambridge).
 
*[[Michael Ventris|Ventris, Michael]] and [[John Chadwick]], 1973. ''Documents in Mycenaean Greek'' (Cambridge).
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==See also==
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*[[Minerva]]
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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*[http://www.goddess-athena.org/Museum/Sculptures/index.htm Roy George, "Athena: The sculptures of the goddess"]: Another, more extensive repertory of Greek and Roman types
 
*[http://www.goddess-athena.org/Museum/Sculptures/index.htm Roy George, "Athena: The sculptures of the goddess"]: Another, more extensive repertory of Greek and Roman types
 
*[http://www.theoi.com/Cult/AthenaCult.html Theoi.com Cult of Athena] Extracts of classical texts
 
*[http://www.theoi.com/Cult/AthenaCult.html Theoi.com Cult of Athena] Extracts of classical texts
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*[http://fury.com/galleries/road_trip_2003/index-Pages/Image6.html Nashville's Athena statue]
 
 
*[http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/index.htm The Nashville Parthenon]
 
*[http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/index.htm The Nashville Parthenon]
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*[http://www.anistor.co.hol.gr/english/enback/e023 Minoan Origins of Athena] by Virginia Hicks
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[[Category:Greek mythology]]
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*[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/freedom.cfm Athena - "The Statue of Freedom" atop the US Capitol building]
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Revision as of 20:21, 18 May 2007


Helmeted Athena, of the Velletri type. Roman copy (1st century) of a Greek original by Kresilas, c. 430 B.C.E.

In Greek mythology, Athena (Greek: Άθηνά, Athēnâ, or Ἀθήνη, Athénē; Doric: Άσάνα, Asána; Latin: Minerva), the shrewd companion of heroes, became the goddess of wisdom, as philosophy became applied to cult in the later fifth century.[1] She remained the patroness of weaving, crafts and the more disciplined side of war[2]. Athena's wisdom also includes the cunning intelligence (metis) of such figures as Odysseus.

She is attended by an owl, and is often accompanied by the goddess of victory, Nike. Wearing a goatskin breastplate called the Aegis given to her by her father, Zeus,[3], she is often shown helmeted and with a shield bearing the Gorgon Medusa's head, a votive gift of Perseus. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as a helper of many heroes, including Heracles, Jason, and Odysseus. In classical myth she never had a consort or lover, and thus was often known as Athena Parthenos ("Athena the virgin"), hence her most famous temple, the Parthenon, on the Acropolis in Athens. In a remnant of archaic myth, she was the mother of Erichthonius by an attempted rape, which failed.[4]

In her role as a protector of the city, Athena was worshiped throughout the Greek world as Athena Polias ("Athena of the city"). She had a special relationship with Athens, as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the goddess and the city.[5]

Mythology

Birth of Athena, daughter of Zeus

This marble copy signed ANTIOCHOS is a first century B.C.E. copy of Phidias' 5th-century original that stood on the Acropolis

Athena is most commonly described as the daughter of Zeus. It is also often implied[citation needed] that she is his first-born child, which accords her special status: the weapons for which she is so famous are weapons she and he share exclusively, including the thunderbolt.

The Olympian version

In the Olympian pantheon, Athena was remade as the favorite daughter of Zeus, born fully armed from his forehead after he swallowed her mother, Metis.[6] The story of her birth comes in several versions. In the one most commonly cited, Zeus lay with Metis, the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than the sire,[7] even Zeus himself. In order to forestall these dire consequences, after lying with her, Zeus "put her away inside his own belly;" he "swallowed her down of a sudden,>"[8] He was too late: Metis had already conceived a child. When it came time, Zeus was in great pain; Prometheus, Hephaestus, Hermes or Palaemon (depending on the sources examined) cleaved Zeus's head with the double-headed Minoan axe (the labrys of the Great Goddess). Athena leaped from Zeus's head, fully grown and armed with a shout, "and pealed to the broad sky her clarion cry of war. And Ouranos trembled to hear, and Mother Gaia" {Pindar, Seventh Olympian Ode).

Hera was so annoyed at Zeus producing a child apparently on his own that she caused herself to conceive and bear Hephaestus by herself. Metis never bore any more children, and Zeus persisted as supreme ruler of Mount Olympus.

Other origin tales

Fragments attributed by the Christian Eusebius of Caesarea to the semi-legendary Phoenician historian Sanchuniathon, which Eusebius thought had been written before the Trojan war, make Athena instead the daughter of Cronus, a king of Byblos who is said to have visited 'the inhabitable world' and bequeathed Attica to Athena.

Pallas Athena

The major competing tradition regarding Athena's parentage involves some of her more mysterious epithets: Pallas, as in Ancient Greek Παλλάς Άθήνη (also Pallantias) and Tritogeneia (also Trito, Tritonis, Tritoneia, Tritogenes). A separate entity named Pallas is invoked – as one or more of Athena's father, sister, foster-sister, or opponent in battle. In every case, Athena kills Pallas and thereby gains the name for herself.

When Pallas is Athena's father the events, including her birth, are located near a body of water named Triton or Tritonis. When Pallas is Athena's sister or foster-sister, Athena's father or foster-father is himself Triton, the son and herald of Poseidon. But Athena may be called the daughter of Poseidon and a nymph named Tritonis without involving Pallas. Likewise, Pallas may be Athena's father or opponent without involving Triton. [9][10] [11] On this topic, Walter Burkert says "she is the Pallas of Athens, Pallas Athenaie, just as Hera of Argos is Here Argeie.[12] For the Athenians, Burkert notes, Athena was simply "the Goddess", he theos, certainly an ancient title.

Athena Parthenos: Virgin Athena

Helmeted Athena with the cista and Erichthonius in his serpent form. Roman, 1st century (Louvre Museum)

Athena never had a consort or lover, and thus was also known as Athena Parthenos, "Virgin Athena." Her most famous temple, the Parthenon, on the Acropolis in Athens takes its name from this title. It was not merely an observation of her virginity, but a recognition of her role as enforcer of rules of sexual modesty and ritual mystery. This role is expressed in a number of stories about Athena.

Erichthonius

Hephaestus attempted to rape Athena but she eluded him. His semen fell on the ground, and Erichthonius was born from the Earth, Gaia. Athena then raised the baby as a foster mother.[13]

Athena put the infant Erichthonius in a small box which she entrusted to the care of three sisters, Herse, Pandrosus and Aglaulus, then princesses of Athens. The goddess didn't tell them what the box contained, but warned them not to open it till she returned. One or two sisters opened the cista to reveal Erichthonius, in the form (or embrace) of a serpent. The serpent, or insanity induced by the sight, drives Herse and Pandrosus to threw themselves off the Acropolis.[14]

Jane Harrison (Prolegomena) finds this to be a simple cautionary tale directed at young girls carrying the cista in the Thesmophoria rituals, to discourage them from opening it outside the proper context.

Erichthonius later became King of Athens and implemented many beneficial changes to Athenian culture. During this time, Athena frequently protected him.

There is another version of the myth of the Athenian princesses, told in Ovid's Metamorphoses in which Hermes falls in love with Herse. Herse, Aglaulus and Pandrosus go to the temple to offer sacrifices to Athena. Hermes demands help from Aglaulusto seduce Herse. Aglaulus demands money in exchange. Hermes gives her the money the sisters had already offered to Athena.

As punishment for Aglaulus's greed, Athena asks the goddess Envy to make Aglaulus jealous of Herse. When Hermes arrives to seduce Herse, Aglaulus stands in his way instead of helping him as she had agreed. He turns her to stone.[15]

Medusa and Tiresias

Medusa, unlike her two sister-Gorgons, was mortal and extremely beautiful. But she had sex with — or was raped by — Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Upon discovering the desecration of her temple, Athena changed Medusa's form to match that of her sister Gorgons as punishment. Medusa's hair turned into snakes, her lower body was transformed, and meeting her gaze would turn any living creature to stone.

In one version of the Tiresias myth, Tiresias stumbled upon Athena bathing, and was blinded by her nakedness.[16] To compensate him for his loss, she sent serpents to lick his ears, which gave him the gift of prophecy.

Lady of Athens

Athena competed with Poseidon to be the patron deity of Athens, which was yet unnamed in this telling. They agreed that each would give the Athenians one gift and that the Athenians would choose the gift they preferred. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a spring sprang up; this gave them a means of trade and water, but it was salty and not very good for drinking. (In an alternate version, Poseidon offered the first horse.) Athena, however, offered them the first domesticated olive tree. The Athenians (or their king, Cecrops) accepted the olive tree and along with it Athena as their patron, for the olive tree brought wood, oil and food. This is thought[attribution needed] to commemorate a clash between the inhabitants during Mycenaean times and newer immigrants. It is interesting to note that Athens at its height was a significant sea power, defeating the Persian fleet at the Battle of Salamis near Salamis Island in 480 B.C.E. Athena was also the patron goddess of several other cities, notably Sparta.

Counselor

Bust of Athena in the Munich Glyptothek.

Athena guided Perseus in his quest to behead Medusa. She instructed Heracles to skin the Nemean Lion by using its own claws to cut through its thick hide. She also helped Heracles to defeat the Stymphalian Birds, and to navigate the underworld so as to capture Cerberos.

Odysseus' cunning and shrewd nature quickly won Athena's favor, though she is largely confined to aiding him only from afar (implanting thoughts in his head) during his journey home from Troy. It is not until he washes up on the shore of an island where Nausicaa is washing her clothes that Athena can actually arrive herself to provide more tangible assistance. She appears in Nausicaa's dreams to ensure the princess rescues Odysseus and eventually sends him to Ithaca. Athena, herself, appears in disguise to Odysseus upon his arrival. She initially lies and tells him Penelope, his wife, has remarried and Odysseus is believed to be dead, though Odysseus lies to her, seeing through her disguise. Pleased with his resolve and shrewdness, she reveals herself to him and tells him everything he needed to know in order to win back his kingdom. She disguises him as an elderly man so that he will not be noticed by the Suitors or Penelope and she helps Odysseus defeat his suitors and end the feud against their relatives.

Cult and attributes

Her epithets included Άτρυτώνη, Atrytone (= the unwearying), Παρθένος, Parthénos (= virgin), and Ή Πρόμαχος, Promachos (the pre-fighter/-tress, i. e. the person who fights in front).

In poetry from Homer onward, Athena's most common epithet is glaukopis (γλαυκώπις), which is usually translated "bright-eyed" or "with gleaming eyes".[17] It is a combination of glaukos (γλαύκος, meaning "gleaming," "silvery," and later, "bluish-green" or "gray") and ops (ώψ, "eye," or sometimes, "face"). It is interesting to note that glaux (γλαύξ, "owl") is from the same root, presumably because of its own distinctive eyes. The bird which sees in the night is closely associated with the goddess of wisdom: in archaic images, she is frequently depicted with an owl perched on her head. In earlier times, Athena may well have been a bird goddess, similar to the unknown goddess depicted with owls, wings and bird talons on the Burney relief, a Mesopotamian terracotta relief of the early second millennium B.C.E.

In the Iliad (4.514), the Homeric Hymns and in Hesiod's Theogony, she is given the curious epithet Tritogeneia. The meaning of this term is unclear. It seems to mean "Triton-born," perhaps indicating that the sea-god was her father according to some early myths,[18] or, less likely, that she was born near Lake Triton in Africa. Another possible meaning is "triple-born" or "third-born," which may refer to her status as the third daughter of Zeus or the fact she was born from Metis, Zeus and herself; various legends list her as being the first child after Artemis and Apollo, though other legends identify her as Zeus' first child.

In her role as judge at Orestes' trial on the murder of his mother, Clytemnestra (which he won), Athena won the epithet Athena Areia.

Athena was later associated with the application of philosophy to cult in the fifth century. She remained the patroness of weaving, crafts and the more disciplined side of war[19]. Athena's wisdom encompasses the technical knowledge employed in weaving, metal-working, but also includes the cunning intelligence (metis) of such figures as Odysseus.

The owl and the olive tree are sacred to her. She is attended by an owl, and is often accompanied by the goddess of victory, Nike. Wearing a goatskin breastplate called the Aegis given to her by her father, Zeus,[20], she is often shown helmeted and with a shield bearing the Gorgon Medusa's head, a votive gift of Perseus. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as the counselor of many heroes, including Heracles, Jason, and Odysseus.

The Parthenon, Temple of Athena Parthenos

Athena was given many other cult titles. She had the epithet Athena Ergane as the patron of craftsmen and artisans. With the epithet Athena Parthenos ("virgin"), Athena was worshiped on the Acropolis, especially in the festival of the Panathenaea. With the epithet Athena Promachos she led in battle. With the epithet Athena Polias ("of the city"), Athena was the protectress of Athens and its Acropolis, but also of many other cities, including Argos, Sparta, Gortyn, Lindos, and Larisa. She was given the epithet Athena Hippeia or Athena Hippia as the inventor of the chariot, and was worshipped under this title at Athens, Tegea and Olympia. As Athena Hippeia she was given an alternative parentage: Poseidon and Polyphe, daughter of Oceanus. [21][22]. In each of these cities her temple was frequently the major temple on the acropolis.[23] Athena was often equated with Aphaea, a local goddess of the island of Aegina, located near Athens, once Aegina was under Athenian's power.

Arachne

The fable of Arachne is a late addition to Greek mythology,[24] that does not appear in the myth repertory of the Attic vase-painters. Arachne's name simply means "spider" (αράχνη). Arachne was the daughter of a famous dyer in Tyrian purple in Hypaipa of Lydia. She became so conceited of her skill as a weaver that she began claiming that her skill was greater than that of Athena herself.

Athena gave Arachne a chance to redeem herself by assuming the form of an old woman and warning Arachne not to offend the gods. Arachne scoffed and wished for a weaving contest, so she could prove her skill.

Athena wove the scene of her victory over Poseidon that had inspired her patronage of Athens. According to the Latin narrative, Arachne's tapestry featured twenty-one episodes of the infidelity of the gods: Jupiter being unfaithful with Leda, with Europa, with Danae.

Even Athena admitted that Arachne's work was flawless, but was outraged at Arachne's disrespectful choice of subjects that displayed the failings and transgressions of the gods.[25] Finally losing her temper, Athena destroyed Arachne's tapestry and loom, striking it with her shuttle, Arachne realized her folly and hanged herself.

In Ovid's telling, Athena took pity on Arachne who was changed into a spider. The story suggests that the origin of weaving lay in imitation of spiders and that it was considered to have been perfected first in Asia Minor.

In classical art

Athena depicted on the obverse side of a coin of Attalus I

Athena is classically portrayed wearing full armor, with the helmet raised high on the forehead like a hat; she carries a spear and a shield with the head of the gorgon Medusa mounted on it. It is in this standing posture that she was depicted in Phidias's famous lost gold and ivory statue of her, 36 feet tall, the Athena Parthenos in the Parthenon. Athena is also often depicted with an owl (a symbol of wisdom) sitting on one of her shoulders. The Mourning Athena is a relief sculpture that dates around 460 B.C.E. and portrays a tired, emotional Athena. In earlier, archaic portraits of Athena in Black-figure pottery, the goddess retains some of her Minoan character, such as great bird wings.

Apart from her attributes, there seems to be a relative consensus in sculpture from the fifth century onward as to what Athena looked like. Most noticeable in the face is perhaps a high nose with a high bridge that almost seems like a natural extension of the forehead. The eyes are typically somewhat deeply set. The lips are usually full but the mouth is fairly narrow, usually just slightly wider than the nose. The neck is somewhat longish. The net result is a serene, somewhat aloof beauty.

Name, etymology and origin

The Athena Giustiniani, a Roman copy of a Greek statue of Pallas Athena (Vatican Museums)

She had a special relationship with Athens, as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the goddess and the city.[26] Athena is associated with Athens, a plural name because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood, the Athenai, in earliest times: "[Mycenae] was the city where the Goddess was called Mykene, and Mycenae is named in the plural for the sisterhood of females who tended her there. At Thebes she was called Thebe, and the city again a plural, Thebae (or Thebes, where the 's' is the plural formation). Similarly, at Athens she was called Athena, and the city Athenae (or Athens, again a plural)." [27] Whether her name is attested in Eteocretan or not will have to wait for decipherment of Linear A.

Athena's name is possibly of Lydian origin.[28] It may be a compound word derived in part from Tyrrhenian "ati", meaning "mother" and the name of the Hurrian Goddess "Hannahannah" shortened in various places to "Ana". In Mycenaean Greek, she possibly appears in a single inscription in the Linear B tablets: A-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja /Athana potniya/ appears on a text from the Late Minoan II-era "Room of the Chariot Tablets" in Knossos, the earliest Linear B archive anywhere.[29] Though this phrase is often translated as "Mistress Athena", it literally means "the potnia of At(h)ana", which perhaps means "the Lady of Athens";[30] it is uncertain whether there is any connection to the city of Athens.[31] We also find A-ta-no-dju-wa-ja /Athana diwya/, the final part being the Linear B spelling of what we know from ancient Greek as Diwia (Mycenaean di-u-ja or di-wi-ja) "divine" Athena was also a weaver and the god of crafts. (see dyeus).[32]

In his dialogue Cratylus, Plato gives the etymology of Athena's name based on the view of the ancient Athenians,[33] from A-theo-noa (A-θεο-νόα) or E-theo-noa (H-θεο-νόα) meaning "the mind of God" (Cratylus 407b). Plato Her name is derived from Greek Ἀθεονόα, Atheonóa— which the Greeks rationalised as from god's (theos) mind (nous).

Herodotus noted that the Egyptian citizens of Sais in Egypt worshipped a goddess whose Egyptian name was Neith;[34] they identified her with Athena. (Timaeus 21e), (Histories 2:170-175).

Some authors believe that in early times, Athena was an owl herself, or a bird goddess in general: in Book 3 of the Odyssey, she takes the form of a sea-eagle. In the development of her iconography, starting from archaic vase-paintings, she dropped her prophylactic owl-mask before she lost her wings. "Athene, by the time she appears in art," Jane Ellen Harrison remarked, "has completely shed her animal form, has reduced the shapes she once wore of snake and bird to attributes, but occasionally in black-figure vase-paintings she still appears with wings."[35] Some authors[attribution needed] claim her tasseled aegis may be the remnants of wings.

In post-classical culture

File:Vienna Pallas closeup.jpg
A neoclassical statue of Athena stands in front of the Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna.

Athena (Minerva) is the subject of the $50 1915-S Panama-Pacific commemorative coin. At 2.5 troy oz (78 g) gold, this is the largest (by weight) coin ever produced by the U.S. Mint. This was the first $50 coin issued by the U.S. Mint and no higher was produced until the production of the $100 platinum coins in 1997. Of course, in terms of face-value in adjusted dollars, the 1915 is the highest denomination ever issued by the U.S. Mint.

For over a century a full-scale replica of the Parthenon has stood in Nashville, Tennessee, which is known as the Athens of the South. In 1990, a gilded 41 foot (12.5 m) tall replica of Phidias' statue of the goddess was added.

The state seal of California features an image of Athena (or Minerva) kneeling next to a brown grizzly bear.[3]

She is the symbol of the Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany.

Athena's Helmet is the central feature on the United States Military Academy crest.

Athena is source of influence for feminist theologians such as Carol P. Christ.

Notes

  1. ↑ Walter Burkert, Greek Religion 1985:VII "Philosophical Religion" treats these transformations.
  2. ↑ Violence and bloodlust were Ares' domain.
  3. ↑ Zeus is also "Aegis-bearing Zeus".
  4. ↑ Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheke 3.14.6.
  5. ↑ "Whether the goddess was named after the city or the city after the goddess is an ancient dispute" (Burkert 1985:139).
  6. ↑ Harrison's famous characterisation of this myth-element as "a desperate theological expedient to rid an earth-born Kore of her matriarchal conditions" has never been refuted (Harrison 1922:302).
  7. ↑ Compare the prophecy concerning Thetis.
  8. ↑ Hesiod, Theogony 890ff and 924ff.
  9. ↑ Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths I, "The Birth of Athena," 8.a.
  10. ↑ Graves, p. 51.
  11. ↑ The story comes from Libyan (modern Berbers) where the Greek Athena and the Egyptian Neith blend in to one god. The story is not so often referenced because some facts contradict other more well documented facts. Frazer, vol. 2 p.41
  12. ↑ Burkert, p. 139.
  13. ↑ Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheke 3.14.6.
  14. ↑ Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths I, "The Nature and Deeds of Athena" 25.d.
  15. ↑ Ovid, Metamorphoses, X. Aglaura, Book II, 708-751; XI. The Envy, Book II, 752-832.
  16. ↑ Graves, Robert, The Greek Myths I,"The Nature and Deeds of Athena" 25.g.
  17. ↑ Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, 1940, A Greek-English Lexicon, ISBN 0-19-864226-1, online version at the Perseus Project
  18. ↑ Karl Kerenyi suggests that "Tritogeneia did not mean that she came into the world on any particular river or lake, but that she was born of the water itself; for the name Triton seems to be associated with water generally." (Kerenyi, p. 128).
  19. ↑ Violence and bloodlust were Ares' domain.
  20. ↑ Zeus is also "Aegis-bearing Zeus".
  21. ↑ [1]
  22. ↑ [2]
  23. ↑ Burkert, p. 140.
  24. ↑ The tale is recorded in Ovid's Metamorphoses ( (vi.5-54 and 129-145) and mentioned in Virgil's Georgics, iv, 246.
  25. ↑ This takes for granted a late, moralizing view of Greek myth.
  26. ↑ "Whether the goddess was named after the city or the city after the goddess is an ancient dispute" (Burkert, p. 139).
  27. ↑ Ruck and Staples 1994:24.
  28. ↑ G. Neumann, [article title missing] Kadmos 6 (1967).
  29. ↑ Kn V 52 (text 208 in Ventris and Chadwick).
  30. ↑ Palaima, p. 444.
  31. ↑ Burkert, p. 44.
  32. ↑ Ventris and Chadwick [page missing]
  33. ↑ "That is a graver matter, and there, my friend, the modern interpreters of Homer may, I think, assist in explaining the view of the ancients. For most of these in their explanations of the poet, assert that he meant by Athene "mind" (nous) and "intelligence" (dianoia), and the maker of names appears to have had a singular notion about her; and indeed calls her by a still higher title, "divine intelligence" (Thou noesis), as though he would say: This is she who has the mind better than others. Nor shall we be far wrong in supposing that the author of it wished to identify this Goddess with moral intelligence (en ethei noesin), and therefore gave her the name ethonoe; which, however, either he or his successors have altered into what they thought a nicer form, and called her Athene". (Cratylus 407b).
  34. ↑ "The citizens have a deity for their foundress; she is called in the Egyptian tongue Neith, and is asserted by them to be the same whom the Hellenes call Athene; they are great lovers of the Athenians, and say that they are in some way related to them". ( Timaeus 21e)
  35. ↑ Harrison 1922:306. (Harrison 1922:307 fig. 84: detail of a cup in the Faina collection).

Bibliography

  • Burkert, Walter, 1985. Greek Religion (Harvard).
  • Graves, Robert, (1955) 1960. The Greek Myths revised edition.
  • Harrison, Jane Ellen, 1903. Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion.
  • Kerenyi, Karl, 1951. The Gods of the Greeks (Thames and Hudson).
  • Palaima, Thomas, 2004. "Appendix One: Linear B Sources." In Trzaskoma, Stephen, et al., eds., Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation (Hackett).
  • Ruck, Carl A.P. and Danny Staples, 1994. The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses, Heroines and Heroes (Durham, NC).
  • Telenius, Seppo Sakari, 2005 and 2006. Athena-Artemis.
  • Ventris, Michael and John Chadwick, 1973. Documents in Mycenaean Greek (Cambridge).

See also

External links

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