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Athena© Margaret Helmstetter
Athena, the Greek Goddess of battles, wisdom, and domestic crafts is a study in contrasts. Athena was combative in defense of home and state, but enjoying the peaceful side of weaving. Athena directed her peaceful side towards men. Her severe side was reserved for the women. The men she helped were the heroes of battles, while the women she harmed were skilled in the feminine arts.
The story of Athena's birth asserts, Zeus heard a prophecy that Athena's mother, Metis, would give birth to a son after Athena that would be greater than him self. Being a jealous god, he swallowed his wife while she was still pregnant with Athena. Metis started making a cloak and helmet for her daughter. This caused Zeus great pain, Hephasestus struck his father's head with an axe, and Athena stepped from his forehead full grown, dressed in a cloak and helmet.
As a war goddess, she was the epitome of reason, justice, and tactics, while her male counterpart, Ares, was the blood lust of battle. With out her favor, a hero could not win; she would step in and antagonize, or trick the contestant she did not favor. During the Trojan War, she took an active part and assisted Achilles in winning the combat with Hector of Troy. When Hector challenged Achilles, and left Troy to battle Achilles, he soon saw that he was in a losing battle. While retreating to Troy, Athena appeared to Hector in the guise of his brother. She advised him to fight. A spear thrust from Achilles soon killed Hector.
Noted also for assisting her half brother Hercules, or Herakles in his twelve labors she simplified many of his tasks. His tasks were a penance for the murder of his wife and children. Athena assisted with the task of scaring the flock of birds near Stymphalos by bringing Hercules noisemakers. She helped Hercules when he held the world for Atlas, so that Atlas could retrieve the golden apples from the Hesperides. Athena then returned the golden apples. Her assistance helped Hercules and Cerberus escape the underworld. She favored her half brother, always being available to assist him in his adventures. Women on the other hand did not receive the same generous treatment. Medusa, was originally a beautiful young woman, whose charm rivaled Athena's beauty. Becoming provoked Athena then changed Medusa into a woman who was so hideous with snakes for hair, that a single glance would turn the unfortunate victim to stone. This was to become a beheading of Medusa, when she gave guidance to Perseus in collecting Medusa's head. Athena displayed the unfortunate Medusa's head on her shield.
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The copyright of the article Athena in Gods & Goddesses is owned by Catherine Harris. Permission to republish Athena in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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