5.
Athena:
Goddess of Wisdom Growing
beyond the confining limitations
and
Crafts, Strategist and
Father’s Daughter
ATHENA THE GODDESS
Athena was the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and Crafts, known to
the Romans as Minerva. Like Artemis, Athena was a virgin goddess,
dedicated to chastity and celibacy. She was the stately, beautiful
warrior goddess, protector of her chosen heroes and of her namesake
city, Athens. She was the only Olympian goddess portrayed wearing
armor—the visor of her helmet pushed back to reveal her beauty, a
shield over her arm, and a spear in her hand.
Befitting her role as the goddess who presided over battle strategy
in wartime and over domestic arts in peacetime, Athena was also
shown with a spear in one hand and a bowl or spindle in the other.
She was the protector of cities, patron of military forces, and goddess
of weavers, goldsmiths, potters, and dressmakers. Athena was
credited by the Greeks with giving humanity the bridle to tame the
horse, with inspiring shipbuilders in their craft, and with teaching
people how to make the plow, rake, ox yoke, and chariot. The olive
tree was her special gift to Athens, a gift that led to the cultivation
of olives.
Athena was often depicted with an owl, a bird associated with
wisdom and prominent eyes—two of her traits. Intertwined snakes
were shown as a design on her shield or on the hem of her robe.
When Athena was pictured with another figure, that other was
invariably a male. For example, she was seen next to a