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'''Athena''', ([[Greek language|Greek]] {{polytonic|Ἀθηνά}} Athēná or {{polytonic|Ἀθήνη}} Athḗnē; [[Doric Greek|Doric]]: {{polytonic|Ἀσάνα}} Asána), the [[Greece|Greek]] goddess of wisdom, strategy, and war associated by the [[Etruscan]]s with their goddess Menrva, and later by the Romans as [[Minerva]], is attended by an owl, wore a goatskin breastplate called the [[Aegis]] given to her by her father and is accompanied by the goddess of victory, [[Nike (mythology)|Nike]]. Athena is also a goddess associated with mentoring heroes. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, never a child, always a virgin (''parthenos''); she is said to have found the advances of men to be childish. The [[Parthenon]] at Athens, Greece is her most famous shrine. She never had a consort or lover, although once [[Hephaestus]] tried and failed. According to [[Plato]], Athena was derived from ''A-θεο-νόα'' (A-theo-noa) or ''H-θεο-νόα'' (E-theo-noa) meaning the mind of God (Crat.407b).

[[Pallas]] is sometimes thought to be her father, hence the epithet '''Pallas Athena''' (Παλλάς Αθηνά). According to Plato, "Pallas is derived from armed dances. For the elevation of oneself or anything else above the earth, or by the use of the hands, we call shaking ''πάλλειν'' (pallein), or ''ορχείν'' (dancing)" Crat. 406.d. Other stories say that Pallas was Athena's childhood friend. During a game, Athena accidentally killed Pallas. Athena then decided to put Pallas's name before hers so that Pallas will always be remembered.

==History==
Athena has no Greek etymology, and probably was already a goddess in the Aegean before the coming of the Greeks, although her name is not attested in [[Eteocretan]]. She has been compared to [[Anatolian]] mother goddesses like [[Cybele]], her name possibly of [[Lydian]] origin (G. Neumann, ''Kadmos'' 6, 1967), and her byname ''Pallas'' has been compared to Hittite ''palahh'', a divine rayment [http://www.dainst.org/index_79_en.html]. In [[Mycenaean Greek]], ''A-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja'' ''/Athana potniya/'' (Mistress Athena) is referred to in the [[Knossos]] [[Linear B]] text V 2. and ''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" (see [[dyeus]]). 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 tassled aegis may be the remnants of wings [http://www.fjkluth.com/athena.html]. Athena is associated with [[Athens]], a plural name because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood, the Athenai, in earliest times.

{{Greek myth (Olympian)}}
In the [[List of Greek mythological characters|Olympian pantheon]], Athena was remade as the favorite daughter of [[Zeus]], born by [[parthenogenesis]] from his forehead. 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, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than Zeus himself. In order to forestall these dire consequences, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly and swallowed her immediately after lying with her. 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 (labrys). Athena leaped from Zeus's head, fully grown and armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the experience.

Athena was patron of the art of weaving and other crafts, wisdom and battle. Unlike [[Ares]], who was hot-headed and undependable in battle, Athena's domain was strategy and tactics. Having taken the side of the Greeks in the war against [[Troy]], Athena assisted the wily [[Odysseus]] on his journey home.

=== Athena in art ===

Athena is classically portrayed wearing full armor, carrying a lance and a shield with the head of the gorgon [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]] mounted on it. It is in this posture that she was depicted in [[Phidias]]'s famous gold and ivory statue of her, now lost to history, in the [[Parthenon]] on the Athenian [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]]. 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 BC and portrays a tired, emotional Athena.

In earlier, archaic portraits of Athena in [[vase-painting]]s, the goddess retains some of her Minoan character, such as great birdwings.

=== Appellations ===
Homer's most common [[epithets in Homer|epithet]] for Athena, ''γλαυκώπις'' (glaukopis) is usually translated "bright-eyed" and is a combination of ''γλαύκος'' (glaukos) (which can be translated as "gleaming," "silvery," and later as "bluish-green" or "gray") and ''ώψ'' (ôps - "eye," or sometimes, "face"). It is interesting to note that ''γλαύξ'' (glaux - 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 [[Lilitu]] and/or the goddess depicted with owls, wings and bird talons on the [[Burney relief]].

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 often associated with the local [[Aegina|Aeginian]] goddess, ''Αφαία'' ([[Aphaea]]). She had the epithet "Athena Ergane" as the patron of craftsmen and artisans.

She was often referred to with the epithet "Παλλάς Αθηνά" (Pallas Athena). [[Pallas]] was an ambiguous figure, sometimes male sometimes female, never imagined apart from Athena. She killed Pallas in a mistake, and ever after wore her/his goatskin fringed with chthonic serpents, as the protective [[aegis]]. With the epithet "Athena Parthenos" ("virgin"), Athena was worshipped at the [[Parthenon]]. With the epithet "Athena Promachos" she led in battle. With the epithet "Athena Polias" ("of the city"), Athena was the protectress of Athens and the Acropolis.

In the [[Homeric Hymns]] and in [[Hesiod]]'s ''[[Theogony]]'', she is described with the curious epithet "Tritogeneia." The exact meaning of this term is unclear. It seems to mean "Triton-born," perhaps indicating that the sea-god [[Triton (mythology)|Triton]] was her father according to some early myths, or 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.

==Episodes==

=== Erichthonius ===
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. 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 gave three sisters, [[Herse]], [[Pandrosus]] and [[Aglaulus]] the baby in a small box and warned them to never open it. Aglaulus and Herse opened the box which contained the infant and future-king, Erichthonius. The sight caused Herse and Aglaulus to go insane and they threw themselves off the [[Acropolis]].

An alternative version of the same story is that while Athena was gone to bring a mountain to use in the Acropolis, the two 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]]). Once again, Herse and Aglaulus went insane and threw themselves to their deaths off a cliff.

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

=== Athens ===
Athena competed with [[Poseidon]] to be the patron deity of [[Athens]]. They agreed that each would give the Athenians one gift and the Athenians would choose whichever gift they preferred. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a spring sprung up; the water was salty and not very useful, whereas Athena 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 remember 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 fleet at the [[Battle of Salamis]] near [[Salamis (Greece)]] in [[480 BC]]. Athena was also the patron goddess of several other cities, notably [[Sparta]].
In an alternate version, Poseidon invents the first horse. Athena's gift is still chosen.

=== Arachne ===
A woman named Αράχνη ([[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. The old woman threw off her disguise and the contest began. Athena wove a depiction of the conflict with Poseidon over Athens, while Arachne wove a depiction of Zeus' many romantic exploits. Athena was furious at her skill (the contest was never decided), and her choice of subject, and, with a touch, struck Arachne with terrific guilt. Arachne tried to kill herself and Athena turned her into the first spider.

===Perseus and Medusa===
Athena guided [[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.

=== [[Heracles]] ===
Athena instructed [[Heracles]] 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 Heracles' signature garment, along with the olive-wood club he used in the battle. Athena also assisted Heracles on a few other labors.

She also helped Heracles defeat the [[Stymphalian Birds]], along with [[Hephaestus]].

=== [[Tiresias]] and [[Chariclo]] ===
Athena blinded [[Tiresias]] after he stumbled onto her bathing naked. His mother, [[Chariclo]], begged her to undo her curse, but Athena couldn't; she gave him prophecy instead.

== Miscellaneous ==
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.

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

==External links==
*[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.anistor.co.hol.gr/english/enback/e023 Minoan Origins of Athena] by Virginia Hicks

[[Category:Greek goddesses]]
[[Category:Characters in the Iliad]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:31, September 29, 2005
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−	'''Athena''', ([[Greek language\|Greek]] ~~{{polytonic\|Ἀθηνά}}~~ Athēná or ~~{{polytonic\|Ἀθήνη}} Athḗnē~~; [[Doric Greek\|Doric]]: ~~{{polytonic\|Ἀσάνα}}~~ Asána), the [[Greece\|Greek]] goddess of wisdom, strategy, and war associated by the [[Etruscan]]s with their goddess Menrva, and later by the Romans as [[Minerva]], is attended by an owl, wore a goatskin breastplate called the [[Aegis]] given to her by her father and is accompanied by the goddess of victory, [[Nike (mythology)\|Nike]]. Athena is also a goddess associated with mentoring heroes. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, never a child, always a virgin (''parthenos''); she is said to have found the advances of men to be childish. The [[Parthenon]] at Athens, Greece is her most famous shrine. She never had a consort or lover, although once [[Hephaestus]] tried and failed. According to [[Plato]], Athena was derived from ''A-θεο-νόα'' (A-theo-noa) or ''H-θεο-νόα'' (E-theo-noa) meaning the mind of God (Crat.407b).	+	'''Athena''', ([[Greek language\|Greek]] Αθηνά Athēná or Αθήνη Athεnē; [[Doric Greek\|Doric]]: Ασάνα Asána), the [[Greece\|Greek]] goddess of wisdom, strategy, and war associated by the [[Etruscan]]s with their goddess Menrva, and later by the Romans as [[Minerva]], is attended by an owl, wore a goatskin breastplate called the [[Aegis]] given to her by her father and is accompanied by the goddess of victory, [[Nike (mythology)\|Nike]]. Athena is also a goddess associated with mentoring heroes. Athena is an armed warrior goddess, never a child, always a virgin (''parthenos''); she is said to have found the advances of men to be childish. The [[Parthenon]] at Athens, Greece is her most famous shrine. She never had a consort or lover, although once [[Hephaestus]] tried and failed. According to [[Plato]], Athena was derived from ''A-θεο-νόα'' (A-theo-noa) or ''H-θεο-νόα'' (E-theo-noa) meaning the mind of God (Crat.407b).

	[[Pallas]] is sometimes thought to be her father, hence the epithet '''Pallas Athena''' (Παλλάς Αθηνά). According to Plato, "Pallas is derived from armed dances. For the elevation of oneself or anything else above the earth, or by the use of the hands, we call shaking ''πάλλειν'' (pallein), or ''ορχείν'' (dancing)" Crat. 406.d. Other stories say that Pallas was Athena's childhood friend. During a game, Athena accidentally killed Pallas. Athena then decided to put Pallas's name before hers so that Pallas will always be remembered.		[[Pallas]] is sometimes thought to be her father, hence the epithet '''Pallas Athena''' (Παλλάς Αθηνά). According to Plato, "Pallas is derived from armed dances. For the elevation of oneself or anything else above the earth, or by the use of the hands, we call shaking ''πάλλειν'' (pallein), or ''ορχείν'' (dancing)" Crat. 406.d. Other stories say that Pallas was Athena's childhood friend. During a game, Athena accidentally killed Pallas. Athena then decided to put Pallas's name before hers so that Pallas will always be remembered.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ==History==
-Athena has no Greek etymology, and probably was already a goddess in the Aegean before the coming of the Greeks, although her name is not attested in [[Eteocretan]]. She has been compared to [[Anatolian]] mother goddesses like [[Cybele]], her name possibly of [[Lydian]] origin (G. Neumann, ''Kadmos'' 6, 1967), and her byname ''Pallas'' has been compared to Hittite ''palahh'', a divine rayment [http://www.dainst.org/index_79_en.html]. In [[Mycenaean Greek]], ''A-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja'' ''/Athana potniya/'' (Mistress Athena) is referred to in the [[Knossos]] [[Linear B]] text V 2. and  ''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" (see [[dyeus]]). 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 tassled aegis may be the remnants of wings [http://www.fjkluth.com/athena.html].  Athena is associated with [[Athens]], a plural name because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood, the Athenai, in earliest times.
+Athena has no Greek etymology, and probably was already a goddess in the Aegean before the coming of the Greeks, although her name is not attested in [[Eteocretan]]. She has been compared to [[Anatolian]] mother goddesses like [[Cybele]], her name possibly of Lydian origin (G. Neumann, ''Kadmos'' 6, 1967), and her byname ''Pallas'' has been compared to Hittite ''palahh'', a divine rayment [http://www.dainst.org/index_79_en.html]. In [[Mycenaean Greek]], ''A-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja'' ''/Athana potniya/'' (Mistress Athena) is referred to in the [[Knossos]] [[Linear B]] text V 2. and  ''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" (see [[dyeus]]). 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 tassled aegis may be the remnants of wings [http://www.fjkluth.com/athena.html].  Athena is associated with [[Athens]], a plural name because it was the place where she presided over her sisterhood, the Athenai, in earliest times.
 {{Greek myth (Olympian)}}
-In the [[List of Greek mythological characters|Olympian pantheon]], Athena was remade as the favorite daughter of [[Zeus]], born by [[parthenogenesis]] from his forehead.  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, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than Zeus himself.  In order to forestall these dire consequences, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly and swallowed her immediately after lying with her.  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 (labrys).  Athena leaped from Zeus's head, fully grown and armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the experience.
+In the [[List of Greek mythological characters|Olympian pantheon]], Athena was remade as the favorite daughter of [[Zeus]], born by parthenogenesis from his forehead.  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, but immediately feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear children more powerful than Zeus himself.  In order to forestall these dire consequences, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly and swallowed her immediately after lying with her.  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 (labrys).  Athena leaped from Zeus's head, fully grown and armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the experience.
 Athena was patron of the art of weaving and other crafts, wisdom and battle.  Unlike [[Ares]], who was hot-headed and undependable in battle, Athena's domain was strategy and tactics. Having taken the side of the Greeks in the war against [[Troy]], Athena assisted the wily [[Odysseus]] on his journey home.
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 === Athena in art ===
-Athena is classically portrayed wearing full armor, carrying a lance and a shield with the head of the gorgon [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]] mounted on it.  It is in this posture that she was depicted in [[Phidias]]'s famous gold and ivory statue of her, now lost to history, in the [[Parthenon]] on the Athenian [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]].  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 BC and portrays a tired, emotional Athena.
+Athena is classically portrayed wearing full armor, carrying a lance and a shield with the head of the gorgon [[Medusa (mythology)|Medusa]] mounted on it.  It is in this posture that she was depicted in [[Phidias]]'s famous gold and ivory statue of her, now lost to history, in the [[Parthenon]] on the Athenian [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]].  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 BC and portrays a tired, emotional Athena.
 In earlier, archaic portraits of Athena in [[vase-painting]]s, the goddess retains some of her Minoan character, such as great birdwings.
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 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 often associated with the local [[Aegina|Aeginian]] goddess, ''Αφαία'' ([[Aphaea]]).  She had the epithet "Athena Ergane" as the patron of craftsmen and artisans.
+Athena was often associated with the local [[Aigina|Aeginian]] goddess, ''Αφαία'' ([[Aphaea]]).  She had the epithet "Athena Ergane" as the patron of craftsmen and artisans.
 She was often referred to with the epithet "Παλλάς Αθηνά" (Pallas Athena). [[Pallas]] was an ambiguous figure, sometimes male sometimes female, never imagined apart from Athena. She killed Pallas in a mistake, and ever after wore her/his goatskin fringed with chthonic serpents, as the protective [[aegis]].  With the epithet "Athena Parthenos" ("virgin"), Athena was worshipped at the [[Parthenon]].  With the epithet "Athena Promachos" she led in battle. With the epithet "Athena Polias" ("of the city"), Athena was the protectress of Athens and the Acropolis.