Greek Goddess Athena

Athena is a Greek goddess well known for her wisdom, successful achievements and contributions to Greek society. She is also a very important character in Greek mythology. I think Athena is very influential and important because she was named patron of Athens by its own citizens so this means that she really thought about them and about their good. Most of what she did was to benefit the people. When Athens had to fight against other city states, Athena always protected and supported them with her help in battles.

Her origins

Zeus was once married to Metis. In time Metis became pregnant, so Earth told Zeus that a son of Metis could overthrew him. Zeus didn’t want that, so he swallowed Metis. By those days, he had a strong headache so he asked for help to the craftsman god Hephaestus, who hit Zeus’s head with an ax. From his head, came out Athena, known as the goddess of wisdom. Later Athena became Zeus' favorite.

About her

Athena has many attributes because of all the things she did. She helped people and gave gifts to them such as the olive tree that she gave when she fought against Poseidon in a deal. In this deal, Greeks had to choose between Athena or Poseidon. If they preferred her gift, she will became Athens’s patron but if they preferred Poseidon’s gift, he will became Athens’s patron. Poseidon gave the people water, but because he is god of the ocean this was salty water. Instead, Athena gave the people an olive tree to provide them with food. Finally, Greeks preferred Athena’s gift turning her into Athens’s patron.

As every god, Athena has her unique symbol that distinguishes her from the other gods. Her symbol is the owl which represents wisdom. Because at first, she was known as a bird, people began to recognize her with an owl.

Athena is not only known in Greece, but all around the world. After the Greeks, the Romans decided to adopt mythologycal beliefs. Because of these, Athena is known by the Romans as Minerva.

Athena also plays an important role in many Greek tragedies such as in the Illiad, in the Odyssey, etc... She also aided the heroes Perseus, Jason, Cadmus, Odysseus and Heracles in their quests and struggles.