Athena
Athena was the goddess of wisdom and skill.
According to tradition, during the battle of the giants Zeus lay with
Metis, who bored concealed within herself all the world's wisdom, Zeus
swallowed Metis whole, and after nine months developed an unbearable pain
in his head. He begged another God to cut his head open and Athena immediately
sprang out fully armed, uttering war-like cries.
Athena's powers were more masculine then feminine, above all she was
a martial Goddess, her military accouterments included a helmet, a spear
and the aegis=a goat skin shield, something only Athena was allowed
to use. Athena was also alone in being allowed to enter her father's armory
and could even use his thunderbolt.
Athena was believed to have taught mankind the techniques and rules
of war, she was worshipped as Areia. Thanks to assistance she generously
offered to individual humans and entire cities, Athena was worshipped as
Soteira meaning Savior.
The frequently used epithet Athena Hippia (=of the horses) is
also associated with the military powers of the Goddess, according to the
myth is was was her who taught mankind how to tame the horse, thus becoming
the goddess of ingenuity and skill, representing the concept of superiority
of the mind over physical power and the violence of war. She was responsible
for the development of all crafts and techniques that made it easier for
man to live in peace, for that reason she was adopted by Crafter as
Ergane, the Worker. Musicians credited her with the invention of the
flute and believed she was the first to perform the war dance.
Her greatest invention of all was the art of weaving, she was considered
possessing the highest skills in the field, and it was she who wove and
embroidered the superb garments worn by the Gods and the heroes.
The peaceful side of Athena was symbolized by the olive, the tree which
she gave to the Athenians and taught them how to cultivate. The cult of
Athena was thus of the greatest importance in Athens (which was named in
her honor), the citizens dedicated to her the Pantheon, which still dominates
the landscape of Athens even today (been there!!!). This temple was dedicated
to Athena Parthenos- the Virgin, there is no connection between
Athena and the concepts of love, marriage and maternity, and she maintained
her perpetual virginity (ok, that explains why she was so aggressive....
LOL).
From that she also acquired the title Palas which express her
unchanging youthfulness and is driven from the word Pallax, meaning
a young girl or boy.
A most splendid festival was held in her honor, the Panathenaea,
which was later divided into two festivals, athletics and musicians compete
on these days, which were held on the first days of Jule, the entire population
took part in the magnificent procession.
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