MYTHOLOGY of Greek & Roman
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30th April,2004
home | Olympians | Athena
Athena (Minerva)
Parents of Athena
<Metis, who was believed as the wisest Goddess, even
wiser than Zeus, became Zeus first wife. They lived very happy together at
first. However, Gaia then prophesied that Metis would bear a son who would
be the lord of heaven instead of Zeus. Fearing the prophecy, Zeus played a
trick on Metis intending to prevent the prophecy coming true. He said he
doubted Metis's power in changing her form in other shapes and object and would
only convince if Metis turn into a fly before his eyes. Metis turned into
a fly immediately and Zeus seized this chance and swallowed her and got her
wisdom too.
When Metis was swallowed by Zeus, she was bearing a child. After swallowing her, Zeus had a great headache which cannot be take away. Zeus asked help from Prometheus. Prometheus, knowing that the Gods are immortal and would not die, use an axe to cut open the head of Zeus. And Athena, fully armed, leapt up from the top of his head.
Therefore, Athena is the daughter of Zeus and Metis, the once wisest Goddess.
Lovers of Athena
Athena, different from other Gods and Goddess, is a virgin Goddess.
Areas Athena governs & Symbols of Athena
Athena is the Goddess of Wisdom, War and Crafts. She is fierce and brave
in battle, but not aggressive. Athena only fights to protect the state and
home from outside enemies. Also, Athena is the Patron of Athens, a Greek
city. And she is Goddess of Handicrafts and agriculture. She
invented the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute,
pot, rake, plow, yoke, ship and chariot. She is the embodiment of wisdom,
reason and purity.
Moreover, she is Zeus's favorite child and is allowed to use his weapons including his thunderbolt.
Olive is her tree as Owl is her bird. Her symbol are the Owl and Olive tree.
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