Greek mythology consists of many Greek gods and various mythological creatures. Ancient Greece is one of the supreme histories of all time and has many shocking myths. The Ancient Greek religion had some of the most powerful kings, including the thunder god Zeus, the supreme deity of Mount Olympus, and Athena, the daughter of Zeus. Athena was born to two very powerful people, Zeus and Metis; thus, she is considered the indomitable woman of the ancient world.

Athena, the goddess of wisdom, had a powerful and inadvisable history in ancient Greece and is also included in one of the twelve Olympian gods. Athena was considered the warrior goddess of ancient times because she was the daughter of the chief god Zeus. She was always on his faster Zeus side, supported him throughout the journey, and even fought battle for his good keeping as the goddess of warriors.

Athena, The Athens Protector

The Greek goddess Athena was the protector and promoter of civilization in Greek mythology. Athena’s role in Athens was more of a protector than a queen. The people of Athens chose her as the queen of Athens because she was the most indomitable and courageous queen of the ancient Greek world.

As we all know, the Greek goddess Athena was the supporter and believer of justice to the people of the cosmos and ancient Greece. In this modern world, A visual conduct of Athena should be found in ourselves for the great going of the world. There are many characterizations given to the goddess Athena in Greek mythology.

1. Pallas Athena: This identification was given to the goddess Athena as a form of tribute and grief after the Greek goddess accidentally killed her friend Pallas in the battle.
2. Glaukopis: Athena’s role in Athens is symbolized as a bright-eyed owl, and thus, she gains the name of Glaukopis. It is derived from the Greek word “Glaux,” meaning little owl.
3. Parthenos: The epithet Parthenos represented Athena as the warrior maiden. It was given to her as the symbol of her purity and saintliness. She is the virgin goddess of Greek mythology.
4. Ergane: This identification was given to the goddess Athena for the role of patron goddess of wisdom and craftswomen of their pilgrims.
5. Promachos: Athena was a master strategist known for always gaining victories in battle and proving to the goddess of strength. And as a token of her indomitable self, she was crowned with the name of Promachos.
6. Nikephoros: This identification was given to the goddess of wisdom as a war goddess in the ancient Greeks.

Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War

The Greek gods Of ancient Greece have pre-historic identification in the World History Encyclopedia. The goddess of Athens and protector’s life was not easy at all. Athena’s birth was not common; she was born from Zeus’s head after he started experiencing a major ache in his forehead, which led to Athena’s birth.

Let’s consider an event when the point came: the people of Athens had to choose their deity. The battle was between Poseidon, the sea god, and Athena, where Poseidon chose sea power for the people of Athens, and Athena chose the olive tree for the peace and prosperity of the city. This event shows that, like all the ideal kings and queens of the kingdom, Athena wants good for their people and to live peacefully.

Athena appeared as the goddess of virginity and symbol of purity in a time like ancient Greece, where her father had multiple affairs. Athena’s focus was on the people of Athens and their protection. Athena protected the city during the Trojan Acropolis and the city of Athens.

Athena appears as the supporter of the heroes by providing advice to Homer’s epic poem ” The Odysseus” And enduring support throughout his whole journey. Athena represented as a craftsman and artist for crafting pottery and metallurgy in ancient art. Athena’s role as the warrior goddess played an impressive part during the battle and victory of the same.

What Were Athena’s Attributes?

Athena, the patron goddess, was a right-doer of the people and protector of their pilgrims. Athena’s attributes are other visual presentations of her power and courage. The goddess Athena Parthenos was usually allocated by various attributes, which are :

1. Owl: Athena guided the battle and war with her power of cunning strategies and wise ruler, just like the owl’s representation.
2. Aegis: The Aegis, which is usually depicted as the shield of Athena, was adorned from the Medusa’s head.
3. Spear: Athena was usually portrayed as carrying the spear as the characterization of readiness for the battle, the power of being single and an image of purity.
4. Helmet: Athena is often depicted as wearing a helmet, which shows the image of battle-ready-ness and goddess of war.
5. Olive tree: The Olive tree was blessed to Athena as the portrayal of peace, prosperity, and wisdom, which was gifted to the city of Athens and her association as the patron goddess.
6. Gorgoneion: Athena is represented as wearing a gorgoneion, the head of Gorgon Medusa, which is believed to be the wear of evil and protection against harm.

Birth of Athena

Zeus, the Greek god of thunder and the god of even gods had multiple affairs and wives. The first wife of Zeus, Metis, was the goddess of cunning strategies and strength. Still, Zeus was terrified as Metis would bear a stronger and more powerful child rather than himself, so he swallowed Metis, fearing her power, but Metis managed to live in Zeus’s body and crafted a powerful daughter like her.

Athena was born from Zeus’ head after Zeus’ head started aching, and Hephaestus split his head off. Athena transpired into a fully grown mortal and powerful woman of Greek mythology. 

Pallas Athena

Pallas Athena is one of the epithets of the goddess of wisdom, Athena. Pallas was one of Athena’s closest friends; their relationship is always portrayed as sisterhood and mentorship. Eventually, during a terrifying battle, Athena accidentally killed Pallas in the early myths. After the terrifying act of the Athena, the name Pallas Athena was epithetized in honor of her close friend, Pallas.

The name Pallas is derived from ancient Athens, which means “palladion,” which refers to the statue. So the name Pallas Athena is often derived as the statue of wisdom and pure justice to the right doer of the Greek tragedy. This name evocates the right power of the goddess Athena as Pallas Athena.

Punishment Myths

The goddess of wisdom and justice served many punishment myths to the other Olympian gods and many associates in Greek mythology. Athena always served for the protection of the city of Athens and her pilgrims. Athena punished and killed Medusa for her wrongdoing in the famous temple of the goddess Athens.

Gorgon Medusa was originally a beautiful and mortal woman who had a romantic encounter with the sea god Poseidon. And Medusa was raped by Poseidon in one of the temples of Athena, which was a sacred space to devote the goddess of wisdom and justice. This disturbing event led Medusa to the curse of life. Athena punished and cursed Medusa by transforming Medusa into a monstrous snake for hair, and whoever looked into her eyes would turn into stone. This curse served for everyone who defiled the natural space of Greek mythology.

Athena and The Founding of Athens

Athena, The patron goddess and deity of the Athenians, is way more hustling than others. There was a battle between Poseidon and Athena, where Athena gifted an olive tree to symbolize peace and prosperity, and Poseidon gifted a spring of salt water. The people of Athena accepted the gift of the olive tree for the prosperity and peace of their people, and Athena became the founder of Athens.

The people of Athens had fate and believed that the goddess Athena would play a crucial role as the tutelary deity of Athens and make their cultural development. Various temples and cult statues were built to represent the goddess Athena, including the Parthenon built on top of the Acropolis, which gave rise to the name Athenian Acropolis.

Trojan War

Athena’s role in the Trojan War is considered one of Greek mythology’s most powerful and justifying acts. Athena helped the other Greek heroes during their battle against the Trojans and is considered as the refilling against the Trojan women. Athena indulged in various battles due to the Trojan War in favor of Greek mythology. The influential role of Athena worked as Athena encouraged Agamemnon in their battle against the Trojan War and supported and authorized as their commander. Athena offered help to all the Greek heroes and gods who had good intentions and well-being in Greek mythology.

A Goddess’s Wrath: Four Tales of Athena’s Vengeance

The Goddess’s wrath: four tales of Athena’s vengeance are considered the ideal punishment for offending and provoking the patron god and Hellenic goddess of Greek mythology.

1. Arachne’s Hubris: Arachne, a simple mortal woman, questioned Athena’s power and said that she could do better in weaving and even defeated her. During the contest, Arachne works equal to Athena, which leads Athena into rage and anger, and Athena destroys her work, transforms her into a spider, and curses her with the weaving for eternity.
2. Medusa’s curse: Medusa, a beautiful mortal and young woman who caught the eyes of the sea god Poseidon found that Medusa was being raped in the temple of Athena and cursed her for the desecration of her sacred space that turned her into the monstrous snake for hair and whoever she sees turn into stone.
3. Tiresias’s Blindness: Tiresias, the mortal prophet, observed Athena bathing naked and punished for the eternity of blindness.

As we all know, Athena, the Greek goddess, was the ideal representation of the pure and virgin Mary, the young woman of the Homeric hymns. Athena, woven into the life of the people of Athens, signifies the most powerful deity of Athens. Athena is represented as pure as the olive tree by the people of Athens and is the leader in portraying the world history encyclopedia. Athena’s cult is celebrated for the strong women in the greek mythology. Anyone can be Athena in their life for a disciplined and authoritative life.

Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by Akanksha Raj