Athena, also referred to as Athene, is a very important goddess of many things. She is goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill.
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She is known most specifically for her strategic skill in warfare and is often portrayed as companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavour.
Athena was born from Zeus after he experienced an enormous headache and she sprang fully grown and in armour from his forehead. She has no mother but one of the most commonly cited stories is that Zeus lay with Metis, the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, and then swallowed her whole as he feared she will give birth to a child more powerful than him because of a prophecy – but she had already conceived.
Facts about Athena
■ Athena was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of Ares.
■ She was the daughter of Zeus; no mother bore her.
■She was Zeus's favorite child.
■ According to Homer's account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior.
■ Known for protecting civilized life, she was the Goddess of the City.
■ She is one of three virgin goddesses; the other two were Hestia and Artemis.
■ She is referred to in poetry as "gray-eyed."
■ Her most important festival was the Panathenaea, which was celebrated annually at Athens.
Goddess of : War, Wisdom, Crafts, Battle Strategies
Zeus and Metis are Athena's parents. Being the father, Zeus learned that Metis' children would overthrow him like he had overthrown his father. Afraid of this, he swallowed Metis. Unknowing that Metis was pregnant, she gave birth to Athena inside Zeus, and trained her. Zeus had a splitting headache, and asked the god of forge and fire, Hephaistos, to cut open his skull. Smashing Zeus' head with his mighty ax, Hephaistos split Zeus' skull, and out sprung Athena, dressed in full battle armor.
Rivalry with Poseidon
Athena has a rivalry with Poseidon. Her rivalry with Poseidon started with Athens. They both wanted to be patron of the city, and thus gave gifts. A saltwater fountain was Poseidon's gift, while the olive tree was from Athena. They chose the olive tree due to its usefulness. Not long after, an earthquake hit Athens, destroying all olive trees in the area. Her rivalry with Poseidon continues when Athena caught lovers Poseidon and Medusa showing affection in her own temple. That sort of behavior is a big sign of disrespect so Athena turned Medusa so hideous that no one could or would ever look at her again. Poseidon exacted retribution from Athena by massacring several Athenians, until they built an Acropolis, honoring Athena and Poseidon.
Thus Athena was officially the patron goddess of Athens, unofficially, it belonged to Poseidon as well. Not long afterward, Theseus, a son of Poseidon became King of Athens.
Athena and Arachne
Arachne was known for her skills in weaving. Arachne was known far and wide for weaving great and splendid rugs. She was taught by Athena, but claimed to have not and to be much better than she. Athena had favored her, and needed to know herself if this boasting was real. She disguised herself as an old woman, and asked her. As soon as Arachne boasted, she transformed back to her normal form. Athena challenged Arachne to a weaving contest. They had both woven gorgeous rugs, but Athena's was better. Arachne's had a controversial picture of the Olympians on it, and Athena turned her into a spider so she would weave forever..
Athena and Hephaestus
According to Apollodorus, Athena visited the blacksmith Hephaestus to buy weapons from him, but he was so overcome by desire for her that he tried to seduce her in blacksmith workshop. Determined to maintain her virginity, Athena fled, pursued by Hephaestus. He caught Athena and tried to rape her, but she fought him off. During the struggle, his semen fell on her thigh, and Athena, in disgust, wiped it away with a scrap of wool and flung it to the earth. As she fled, Erichthonius was born from the semen that fell to the earth. Another version recounts how Hephaestus wished to marry Athena, who, like himself was a patron of smiths because Athena refused his hand as, according to some account she found his limp ugly.
