Athena was one of the most memorable goddess in Greek mythology. She was a divine being with many qualities. Her most obvious role was the goddess of war, the female counterpart of Ares. However, she was also a goddess of peace, well known for her compassion and generosity. She was a supporter of the arts and crafts, especially spinning and weaving. In later times she was important as a goddess of wisdom.

Now the story of how Athena came to be isn’t quite as any normal you may assume. Athena was the daughter of Zeus, the all mighty god, and Metis, goddess of wisdom. She was Zeus’ favorite child of all, but at first it wasn’t so. When Zeus was told of his potential child with Metis was to be male, he swallowed his wife in order to keep the baby from being born in fear that the child will overpower him just as he did to his father. It was said that Metis began to make a robe and helmet for her child who turned out to be a girl. Soon Zeus had a terrible headache so he ordered his son Hephaestus to split open his skull with an ax. Hephaestus did as he was told, and out came Athena fully grown.

Athena’s birth emphasizes some important features about the goddess. The idea that she was born from a male points out her relationship with men, both divine and human. On Earth, Athena constantly becomes a protector of heroes while in up in Olympos, she completely avoids sexual relationships with gods.

Now here a tale explaining why Athena symbolized the olive tree and how the city of Athens got its name. Athena and her uncle Poseidon, god of the sea, were both very interested in a certain city in Greece. To fairly decide who receives the right to claim the city, there was a competition. Whoever was to give the best gift to the people of that city, with the people deciding, would win. Poseidon struck the side of the cliff with his trident and a spring welled up. It amazed them, but the water was still as salty as the sea so it was no help to them. Athena's gift was an olive tree. It was awkward, but better for it gave the people food, oil and wood.

Athena named her city Athens and was the city’s guardian. Her statue, the Palladium, was supposed to protect the city. It was said that because she accidentally killed Pallas she set the name Pallas before her own. Her most important festival was the Panathenaea, which was celebrated annually at Athens. It included athletic and musical contests, poetic recitations, and sacrifices. At the end of the festivities a grand procession carried a richly embroidered peplos to the Acropolis as a present to Athena.




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