The gods in mythology are powerful beings no matter what kind of mythology you are talking about. As a Wiccan I do believe in a lot of these ancient Gods that the ancient world believed in and because of the History of Ancient Greece, Native America...
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, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Athena is the Olympian goddess of wisdom and war and the adored patroness of the city of Athens. A virgin deity, she was also-somewhat paradoxically-associated with peace and handcrafts, especially spinning and weaving. Goddess of wisdom, war and the crafts, and favorite daughter of Zeus, Athena was, perhaps, the wisest, most courageous, and certainly the most resourceful of the Olympian gods. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and military victory, and also the patron of the city of Athens, was Hercules half sister. Her parents were Zeus and Metis, a nymph. Her Roman counterpart is Minerva.
Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she most likely received her name. She is usually shown in art wearing a helmet and holding a spear. Her major symbols include owls, olive trees, snakes, and the Gorgoneion. She is often portrayed as companion of heros and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavour. Athena's special powers included the ability to invent useful items and crafts.
Athena is the goddess of the defense of Athens, wisdom and women's craft. She is a virgin warrior goddess, one of many throughout mythologies of the world. Her role as the goddess of wisdom is accounted for in myth by her birth narrative. Her mother Metis, the goddess of cleverness was swallowed by her father Zeus.
Athena's siblings included Persephone, the Dioscuri twins, Helen, Dike, Minos, Aphrodite, Artemis, Heracles, the Graces, the Muses, Apollo, Daradanus Hephaestus, Hebe, Eileithyla, Ares and Dionysus. Athena is considered a lone child of Zeus because she was born from his head.
Athena's strengths: Rational, intelligent, a powerful defender in war but also a potent peacemaker. Athena's weaknesses: Reason rules her; she is not usually emotional or compassionate but she does have her favorites, such as the beleaguered heroes Odysseus and Perseus.
Medusa was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head, which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess of Athena to place on her shield.
Sparta worshipped Athena as their patron goddess, under the epithet "Athena Poliachos" (Athena protector of the city). However, Apollo was a favorite of Spartans and was widely worshiped in the most important religious celebrations in he polis. Elis and Olympia had Zeus as their city god.
Athena surpassed everybody in both of her main domains. In fact, even Ares feared her; and all Greek heroes asked her for help and advice.
Zeus was told that his son would take his throne from him, just as he had taken power from his father Cronus. Accordingly, when Metis was pregnant, he swallowed her and Athena was born from Zeus' head, wearing armour and fully grown. A popular theme in ancient art, Hephaistos is often depicted in the role of midwife, splitting Zeus' head with an ax.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
There are some similarities and differences between the Athena myth and the Minerva myth.
