Athena
	"Athena," by Unknown Artist

Athena is the Goddess of wisdom, military victory and the patron of certain crafts. She is also the patron Goddess of Athens. She is one of the most powerful and worshipped Goddesses. She is often depicted wearing an aegis, a goatskin shield which had a fringe of snakes.

It is said that when Zeus heard that the nymph Metis was pregnant, he swallowed her whole. He feared that she would give birth to a child stronger than he. Eventually, Zeus developed a splitting headache and asked Hephaestus, the smith God, to split open his head with an axe. It is from the head of her father that Athena was born, clad fully in armor. The fact that she was born of the head of the King of Gods is said by some to allude to her wisdom.

Athena was the patron Goddess of Athens. Indeed, it is after her that Athens is named. It was Poseidon, however, who first founded Athens by striking the Earth with his trident. This produced a well. The well only brought forth salt water however, which was of little use to the citizens. Athena struck the ground with her staff, bringing forth an olive tree. Seeing this as the more useful gift, the people chose Athena as their patron goddess.

Athena is also known as the Goddess of military victory. She does not challenge Ares, the God of War, because she is seen as representing a different part of war. She represents the more intellectual side of conflict. Athena is considered to be involved in all wars, because the Greeks considered such things as spying and strategy to be keys to victory in conflict.

In one legend, Athena became involved in a contest with the mortal Arachne. Athena had taught Arachne the art of weaving. Arachne eventually became extremely skilled at this art. She became conceited however, denying that her skill had come from Athena to those around her. Athena would have none of this, and challenged Arachne to a weaving contest. Athena won quite handily. Arachne hung herself in embarassment, but having pity for this poor mortal woman, Athena turned Arachne into the world's first spider.

In Roman mythology, Athena is referred to as Minerva.

Genealogy: Athena is the daughter of Zeus and the nymph Metis. She is said to have neither consort nor offspring.

Symbols: Fire.