Greek Mythology: Athena (Athene, Minerva)
Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art
« Back to Last Page | Gods & Goddesses of Greek Mythology, Religion »
The Greek goddess Athena (Roman: Minerva) was considered the child of Zeus alone for Zeus had swallowed her mother, Metis, and gave birth to Athena himself through his head and fully grown. She was the goddess of civilization and war, reason and violence. In the Illiad Homer describes how Athena removed a robe which she had made with her own hands and "armed herself for grievous war."
This dual nature is probably what made her to attractive to the city of Athens when it adopted her as their patron because she served equally well both in war and peace, encouraging both martial virtues and philosophy.
| Ancient Greek Mythology: Athena (Athene, Minerva) | |
|
|
| Athena (Athene, Minerva) | Athena (Athene, Minerva) |
|
|
| Athena (Athene, Minerva) | Athena (Athene, Minerva) |
|
|
| Athena (Athene, Minerva) Coin | Athena (Athene, Minerva) Defeats the Giants |
|
|
| Athena (Athene, Minerva) | Lemnia Athena (Detail) |
|
|
| Pallas Athena (Athene, Minerva) | |
« Back to Last Page | Gods & Goddesses of Greek Mythology, Religion »
