Athena, also called Pallas Athena, is a goddess of Greek mythology. And the wisdom goddess, being also associated with civilization, strategy in battle, the arts and justice. Athena occupied an important place in the greek pantheon, being one of the twelve deities Olympic.
Athena was worshiped throughout Ancient Greece and in the regions under her influence. Because of this, her cult took on various forms and her image was combined with local deities through the syncretism. In Rome, for example, it received the name of Minerva.
Athena's Story
A origin of Athena in Greek mythology has different versions. One of the best-known narratives is that of her birth directly from head of zeus, her father, fully developed, armed and full of wisdom.
This event occurred after Zeus swallowed his first wife, Metis, out of fear that she would give birth to a son more powerful than he was. However, Metis was already pregnant with Athena by the time she was swallowed, and the goddess continued to grow inside Zeus, until she burst out of his head.
His unusual birth symbolizes the wisdom and cunning associated with divinity. It is believed that she inherited these characteristics from her mother, Métis, primordial goddess of justice, prudence and cunning.
Athens, capital of Greece, was named after the goddess, its patroness. On the city's acropolis are still the ruins of the largest temple dedicated to Athena, the Parthenon.
According to legend, Athena and Poseidon, god of the seas, competed to be the city's patrons. Poseidon offered a horse, while Athena presented the city with an olive tree. The people of the city, enchanted by the tree, chose the goddess as their protector.
In addition to granting prosperity to the region with her gift, Athena would also have favored the Greek people on several occasions. At trojan war, for example, the goddess interfered directly in the victory of her protégés, giving the idea of building the famous Trojan Horse.
Athena and the heroes
Athena is the protector of heroes of Greek mythology, being related to the legends of the three main ones: Hercules, Perseus and Ulysses.
The goddess played a significant role in the life of the demigod Hercules, also known as Hercules, helping to calm you down during your crazy period. Athena inspired him to seek redemption and fulfill the Twelve Works, having aided the hero in them all.
When Perseus he was sent on a mission to behead the terrible Jellyfish, Athena played a crucial role in their journey. She appeared before Perseus and lent him her shield, polished like a mirror, to protect him from the petrifying gazes of the gorgon.
Ulysses, also known as Odysseus, had a faithful ally in Athena during his long journey back home after the Trojan War.
Athena assumes different forms during the Odyssey to help Ulysses. She disguises herself as Mentor, trusted friend, to provide wise advice and encouragement to the hero. Athena also intervenes at critical moments to protect Ulysses, discouraging his enemies or giving him special abilities, such as disguising him as a beggar to help him return incognito to Ithaca.
"Minerva's Vow"
The expression "Minerva's Vow" (Athena) originates from one of the famous legends about the goddess: the judgment of orestes.
Orestes was the son of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, and Clytemnestra. Upon Agamemnon's return from the Trojan War, Clytemnestra murdered her husband in revenge for the sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia. Years later, Orestes, driven by a desire for revenge for his father's murder, killed his own mother, Clytemnestra.
The terrible crime of Orestes provoked the persecution of the Erinyes, also known as furies, avenging goddesses. To protect himself, he sought refuge in a temple and begged Athena for help.
The goddess of wisdom and justice then intervened in Orestes' case, calling a trial. The court, presided over by Athena, was composed of twelve Athenian citizens. Orestes argued for justice and revenge for his father's murder, while the Erinyes advocated punishment for matricide.
The trial ended in a tie, leaving the judge to decide the verdict. In her wisdom, Athena decided that when a jury is tied, the verdict should always determine non-violence. In this sense, the Goddess absolved Orestes and transformed the Erinyes into Eumenides, benevolent goddesses who protect supplicants and promote reconciliation.
The episode set a standard for Athenian justice, based on the impartiality of a jury trial, which influenced the creation of the legal system of the modern era.
Aegis: Athena's shield
Athena's shield, also called Aegis, is an iconic and powerful object in Greek mythology. In the center of the shield is represented the image of Medusa, with her petrifying gaze, being a formidable weapon against enemies.
It was built by the blacksmith god Hephaestus, being used by Zeus in the war against the Titans (Titanomachy). Afterwards, the god presented Athena with the shield, which could emit a blinding glow, disorienting opponents and providing strategic advantage. It is considered a symbol of authority and divine protection.
Athena wields the shield during battles and lends it to the heroes she protects, such as Perseus and Hercules, to aid them in their quests. It represents strategic skill and divine protection.
Athena's Attributes
In Greek mythology, Athena is a powerful goddess, associated with a number of distinctive attributes and powers. Here are some of the main ones:
Wisdom: Athena is the goddess of wisdom, knowledge and intelligence. She is considered the personification of reason and the strategic mind. Her intellectual power is highly prized and respected by gods and mortals alike.
strategy in battle: The goddess is a skilled strategist in battle. She is known for her cunning, tactics, and careful planning. Athena offers advice and guidance to heroes and warriors, helping them achieve victory in their battles.
Transmutation: one of the powers associated with the deity is the ability to transform into other beings or objects. In the Odyssey, for example, Athena becomes a Mentor to help Ulysses.
craftsmanship: Athena is also a goddess of arts and craftsmanship. She is a patron of craft activities such as weaving, sculpture and pottery. She is believed to have taught mortals various techniques and crafts.
Chastity: one of the most beautiful goddesses of Olympus, she chose virginity as a symbol of her wisdom. Despite constant and impetuous harassment from the other gods, she remains chaste.
Justice: she is an advocate of justice and balance, considered the goddess of order and just government. Athena is known for resolving disputes and promoting peace through impartial judgments and wise decisions.
Protection: the deity is a powerful protector. She guards and watches over her cities and their inhabitants. She protects brave heroes, offering help and guidance in times of danger.
Bibliography:
BULFLINCH, Thomas. The Golden Book of Mythology. Rio de Janeiro: Ediouro, 2006.
JAEGER, Werner. Paideia: the formation of the Greek man. São Paulo: Martins Fontes, 2013.
See too:
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Greek gods
- Norse mythology
- indian gods
