Athena

Greek mythology – Present

Goddess of wisdom, craft, and strategic warfare; patron of the city of Athens and the clever, loyal protector of Odysseus throughout the Odyssey.

greek mythologygoddessolympian

Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, skilled work, and war fought with strategy rather than rage. Her birth is one of mythology's strangest: Zeus swallowed her pregnant mother, Metis (whose name means 'cunning'), and later Athena sprang fully grown and armored from Zeus's own head. From the start she was associated with intelligence, and she became one of the most respected of all the Olympians. Athena was the patron goddess of the city of Athens, which was named for her. In a famous contest with Poseidon for the city's loyalty, Poseidon offered a saltwater spring, while Athena gave the olive tree, a source of food, oil, and wood, and the citizens chose her gift. Her symbols, the owl (wisdom) and the olive branch (peace and prosperity), are still used today. Athena's most important role in the Odyssey is as Odysseus's guardian. She admires him precisely because he is clever, resourceful, and self-controlled, qualities she prizes above brute strength. Throughout the poem she disguises herself, offers advice, calms storms, and pleads his case before Zeus. Where Poseidon represents the raw, punishing power of nature, Athena represents wisdom and craft, and it is her favor, earned by Odysseus's mind rather than his muscles, that finally brings him home. How we know. Homer’s Odyssey is the main source for Athena as Odysseus’s ally. The Parthenon is her great historical temple. Walk her contest with Poseidon and the return to Ithaca.

Athena

Further reading

Athena

Further reading