men whom they respected. Then as now, an Athena woman’s mar-
riage is likely to be more a companionable partnership than a pas-
sionate union.
Chances are that she has sized him up quite accurately and that
they are quite compatible. She is his ally and helpmate, a wife vitally
interested in his career or business, who will map out strategy with
him on how to get ahead and who will work at his side if necessary.
Like Athena, who held Achilles back as he was about to draw his
sword against his leader, Agamemnon, in anger, she may also wisely
restrain him from premature or impulsive action.
If her husband is older and well established at the time of the
marriage, and involved in very complicated and sophisticated or
technical dealings, an Athena wife’s main role will be as his social
ally. Her task, then, is to be a social asset, to entertain well, to be his
right-hand woman in maintaining important social alliances.
Apart from counseling her husband or entertaining to advance
his career, she usually runs a household very competently. She finds
it easy to keep track of the budget and of tasks, given her attention
to detail and practical approach. She also takes on bearing and raising
children or heirs as her part of the partnership.
Communication between an Athena wife and her husband about
events is usually excellent. But communication about feelings may
be practically nonexistent, either because, like her, he disregards
feelings, or because he has learned that she does not understand
feelings.
Both Hera women and Athena women are drawn to men with
power and authority, like Zeus. However, what they expect from
him and the nature of the bond that each type of woman has to him
are vastly different. A Hera woman makes a man into her personal
god, responsible for fulfilling her—the attachment she feels for him
is a deep, instinctual connection. When she learns that he is unfaith-
ful, she is wounded to her core and rages at the other woman, who
assumes great importance in her eyes.
In contrast, an Athena woman is practically impervious to sexual
jealousy. She views her marriage as a mutually advantageous part-
nership. She usually gives and expects loyalty,
Goddesses in Everywoman