Athena By Camila
Background information Athena is the goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill. She was born from her father’s head after he swallowed his wife Metis in fear that she would bear a son greater than himself. Metis then began to make a robe and helmet for her daughter causing Zeus to cry out in great agony.
Hephaestus then ran to his father help and split his skull open and from it emerged Athena fully grown and wearing her mother’s robe and helmet. Athena then became Zeus’ favourite child and he entrusted her with the shield of Aegis, a thundercloud.
Athens Athena and her uncle Poseidon were very fond of a village in Greece, and it was decided that the one that would bear the finest gift should have it. Poseidon then decided to strike the side of a cliff with his trident and a spring welled up, The people were very pleased with the gift but then realised the water was salty like the sea.
Athena gave the city an olive tree which was very useful as it gave the people food, oil and wood. She then named the city Athens.
Athena never got married, and she always defended her virginity Athena never got married, and she always defended her virginity. This is why the temple dedicated to her translates to Temple of the virgin in Greek. Although Athena was a virgin she did have a son named Erichthonius. He was born after a fail rape attempt.
The legend says that one day Athena went to visit Hephaestus to get some weapons, when Hephaestus tried to seduce her she ran away, but when Hephaestus caught her his semen fell on her thigh. Disgusted she whipped them off with a cloth and flung it to Earth, the cloth then fell on rich soil from which Hephaestus was born. He then grew up as a prince and with Athena’s protection became king of Athens.
Humans believed Athena had great influense in their lives which is what made her so famous. In the Odyssey by Homer she has a very good relationship with Odysseus and has great compassion for him. On the first book she begs her father to let her help him and quotes “My own heart is broken for Odysseus”. Throughout the book she goes through great extremes to help him get home safely
Athena demonstrates that just like Odysseus she is a character of action. She didn't just get Odysseus home, but she planed the fall of the suitors, changed Odysseus’ appearance multiple times she even held Dawn for him and his wife the first night Odysseus was home. The goddess is always protecting him and making sure he is okay.
Towards the end of the book Athena even disgises herself as a young sheperd boy just so she can have a normal conversation with Odysseus, she eventually transforms back to her normal self and says; “Of all the men alive you are the best in plots and storytelling. My own fame is for wisdom among the gods - deceptions too. Would even you have guessed that I am Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, I that am always with you in times odd trial, a shield to you in battle"