Ancient Greek mythology is very bright, because of the many gods and goddesses represented in it. One of the extraordinary representatives is the beautiful blonde goddess Athena Pallada. Her father, none other than the supreme god Zeus, the lord of heaven. In its importance, Athena is not inferior, and sometimes superior to her powerful father. Her name is immortalized in the name of the Greek city - Athens.
Who is Athena?
The appearance of Athena is shrouded in secrets, from the text of the ancient source of "Theogony" it follows that Zeus learned: his wise wife Metida should give birth to great daughter and son. The ruler did not want to give his reins to anyone, and swallowed his pregnant wife. Later, having felt a strong headache, Zeus asked God of Hephaestus to strike him with a hammer on the head - so the goddess of war and wisdom appeared in all her armament. Owning the strategies and tactics of conducting fair wars, Athena succeeded and became also the patroness in many kinds of crafts:
- social order - Athena, the goddess of wisdom in public affairs, established the highest court in Athens;
- ship business and navigation - the architects Ferekle, Arg and Danai, under the guidance of Athena created their ships, one of which Argo was sent by the goddess to heaven;
- a metal foreman - the statue of Aphrodite is considered the work of Athena herself;
- weaving and spinning crafts - made clothes for themselves and other goddesses. Athena taught us how to weave women. Spinning - symbol of Athena;
- music - a trumpet and a two-flute flute invention of Athena;
- healing - healed and revived with the help of the blood of the Gorgon's jellyfish;
- patroness - in many other positive aspects. Athene is loved for being provided with timely assistance. Hercules, Odysseus, Perseus, Achilles, Jason, Telemachus heroes of ancient Greek mythology, called in difficult moments to Athena.
What does Athena look like?
The Greek goddess Athena is traditionally depicted in a military garb, with a majestic bearing in her hand a spear that shines in the sun. Homer, the ancient narrator of the epic poem "Illyada," describes Athena as a light-eyed, with a sharp gaze, full of power in golden armor, the beautiful but "soft-hearted" Virgin. Artists portrayed a goddess with a stern, pensive face, in a long robe (peplos) or shell.
The symbol of Athena
In mythology, every object of clothing, the background around the deity is replete with different symbolism, which has a sacred meaning. These archetypes are the link between people and gods. Knowing these symbols, in the person's memory , images appear, with which you can identify a character. The symbolism of Athena is easily recognizable:
- helmet Athens - made of iron, decorated with 4 horses, or monster with a snake tail;
- a spear - one of the statues of the goddess adorned the ancient acropolis in Athens, its radiant spear, the first thing seamen saw returning to the city;
- aegis - a shield made of goatskin, with the image of a jellyfish Gorgon;
- Nika is a statuette of the goddess of victory in the hand of Athena;
- an owl is a symbol of wisdom;
- the snake is a gift of foresight.
Children Athens
Ancient Greek goddess Athena was considered a chaste virgin, Eros himself ignored the request of his mother Aphrodite's goddess to let Athena arrow love, because she was afraid even to fly past because of the terrible look of the goddess. Nevertheless, the joys of motherhood were not alien to Athena and she raised adopted children:
- Hygia - the goddess of health, is considered one source by the daughter of Asclepius (healer) and Athena;
- Erichthony is the son of Gaia and Hephaestus, according to legend Hephaestus chased after Athena and dropped the seed on the ground, Gaia considered this a disgrace for herself and refused to raise her son. Athene secretly brought up Erichthony. The goddess Athena is often depicted with a snake, the researchers believe is a symbol of Erichthony.
The myth of the goddess Athena
Ancient Greek mythology describes gods who are like people: they love, hate, seek power, crave for recognition. Interesting myth about Athena, in which Cecrops, the first Athenian king, could not decide who to be the patron of the city. Athena and Poseidon (the god of the ocean) began to argue, Cecrops invited the gods to resolve the dispute in the following way: to invent the most useful object. Poseidon carved a source of water with a trident, Athena slammed a spear into the ground and an olive tree appeared. Women voted for Athena, men for Poseidon, so Athens had two patrons.