Goddess of Wisdom and War
The story of Athene's birth is a complex and strange one. The Great god Zeus' first wife was the Titaness Metis (or Wisdom). When he discovered that Metis was pregnant Zeus went to an oracle to discover what his child would be. The oracle told Zeus that if Metis gave birth to a boy he would overthrow his father, as Zeus had done to his own. Not willing to allow this to happen Zeus made a plan.He found Metis walking along Lake Triton. Upon seeing Zeus, Metis rushed over and hugged him. While in this embrace, Zeus turned Metis into a fly and swallowed her.
Several months later Zeus was again walking along Lake Triton when he got an excruciating headache. Summoning Hephaestus to his aid, Zeus instructed him to crack open his skull. Knowing that as Zeus was an immortal, this blow would not kill him, Hephaestus did just that. From the wound sprang the fully grown and armoured Athene.
Growing up Athene had a great friend named Pallas. one day they were practising with their spears when Athene was distracted. She threw her spear and pierced Pallas' body. To show her sorrow for accidentally killing her friend, Athene put her friend's name before her own and was known from then on as Pallas Athene.
A new city was created and the gods Athene and Poseidon fought over who would be patron. It was decided that whoever gave the greatest gift would get this honour. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and from the hole came a spring, giving access to the sea. Athene then threw her spear into the ground and from this hole grew an olive tree. It was decided that while Poseidon's gift could allow them power and trade over the sea, Athene's gift not only gave them something to trade but it could provide food, oil and perfumes for the inhabitants as well. Athene's gift was judged the greater and the city was named Athens in her honour.