There were others who simply referred to her as the goddess. When Orestes faced charges of killing his mother, Athena served as the judge who oversaw his case.Īfter finding him not guilty, she became known as Areia. She earned the Ergane name to reflect her role as the helper of artisans. This museum and others also have many sculptures of the goddess.Īs one of the most famous Greek goddess figures, Athena has multiple epithets such as Polias, which shows that she was the protector of Athens. An inscription that bears his words is now in the archives of the British Museum. Alexander the Great was on hand to dedicate the temple. The acropolis also has large bronze and terracotta bells.Īthena Polias is another dedicated to her, which Pytheos of Priene designed. Originally made from bronze to show her connection to metal workers, locals later replaced it. One of those sanctuaries is the Spartan Acropolis, which has an epithet dedicated to her. Her cults established several sanctuaries in her honor. While some used these events in the hopes of meeting a suitable man for marriage and citizenship, others simply wanted to make friends and connect with others. Most of her followers were young women who believed in socializing with others both in their hometowns and other cities. Known as panhellenic cults, these groups consisted of women who followed traditional rites. Though usually associated with Athens, Athena had followers in other cities. They believed that her virginity paved the way for other women. Citizens chose this name to honor the sexual modesty she had. Many today believe that the name of the Parthenon comes from the term used to describe her virginity. Not only did she never marry, but she never took a lover either. They also referred to her as Parthenos, which means virgin. In later years, scholars associated her with both Hestia and Artemis. Goddess Athena believed that people should only go to war as a last resort and only if they fought for a noble or just cause. She was unlike other gods and goddesses from ancient Greek tales who thought anything was worth a fight. Known for many years as a war goddess, she helped prepare men for the fighting ahead and provided them with the necessary tools and supplies. Though not a patron saint, Athena is a goddess. Historians also found some early artwork that shows Athena as an owl, which might explain why she is occasionally called a bird goddess. Some believe that this piece depicts a different or early version of the warrior goddess. The other shows a woman standing in front of multiple rows of women. In one, she holds a shield in her hand and with two women nearby. There are also multiple fresco pieces that show her as a warrior. Some translate phrases in the Linear A tablets to mean Athena of Zeus as she was the daughter of Zeus. Early tablets called the Linear B tablets mention her name and refer to her as Lady of Athens.
Unlike other Greek goddesses and gods, there isn’t as much known about the early life of Athena. He further claimed that her name came from the Greek word Athenoa, which can mean moon and earth or air. Many believe that she earned her name as she lived and led in Athens.Īs early as 407 BC, Plato mentioned her name and claimed that others followed her due to her wisdom and knowledge. There is some debate as to whether the citizens named Athens in honor of her or if she received her name after the city already existed. This was a group of women who followed and worshiped her.
Legend says that she was the leader of Athenai. Scholars believe that her name comes from the city of Athens. 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. 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.Īthena was born from Zeus after he experienced an enormous headache and she sprang fully grown and in armour from his forehead. Many refer to her as a protector or a patron of major cities such as Athens. She also shares some things in common with Minerva from Roman mythology. In ancient Greek mythology, they often associated her with both warfare and wisdom as well as handicraft, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, and skill. Athena is a Greek goddess known as both Pallas and Athene.
0 kommentar(er)
