THE GODDESS ATHENA: Biography, characteristics, clothing and much more

Enter this post where we tell you everything about the Goddess Athena, better known as the deity of justice and peace. Discover her heroic story with us through her characteristics, her clothing and many other things that are very interesting.

Introduction

The goddess Athena is part of the wonderful Greek Mythology that is full of cults, myths and legends that are typical of the ancient Greek people, and that specifically deal with fantastic stories about gods and heroes that inspired many writers and that are part of of the origin of the world.

All of this was captured as part of stories that reflected certain ancient beliefs regarding the existence of the universe and the origin of man in the world. Being transmitted from generation to generation, some orally and others, through the writing of poets and great creators of literary works, considered cultural relics, especially of the Greek people.

These stories were also captured in works of art where the gods are given life and many powers are attributed to them, especially those that allow them to govern the destiny of mortals on earth; which has shown to have a broad influence on the culture of the people, as well as on their art and literature, which has remained the heritage of humanity.

These stories give us indications that the Greek gods adopted human figures and were the personification of all the forces of the universe, with qualities that sometimes allowed them to be just, but under other circumstances they could be cruel and vengeful. Sacrifice being a necessary element to achieve its benefits.

These gods were very fickle, and therefore mortals were at their mercy, when they caused their anger, which could only be calmed by making sacrifices offered to them and following all their desires, thereby keeping them under control. to all mortals. Being also possessors of both perfection and beauty.

Greek mythology is made up of gods, but it has some that stand out like the ones we indicate below.

Aphrodite, who represents all the love and beauty of the world Apollo, representing the sun and the prophecies Ares, a god who dominated unjust wars Artemis, goddess of great hunting skills and lady of the moon Athena, the just goddess present in all wars Dionysus, the god who represents carnal pleasures and wine Hephaestus, this god is attributed the control of fire and metals Hera, considered the one who ruled all marriages Hermes, the god who had the dominion over merchants and thieves Hades, is the god whose dominion is under the earth, in the entire underworld Poseidon, des the god whose dominion is all the oceans and seas Zeus, is the god with the greatest power, as he governs Olympus and the heavens

There are some other gods that are of lower hierarchy, which is why we have named them the main ones; Also in Greek mythology, the existence of demigods is contemplated, who were those born from the union of a god with a mortal. Well, these mythological stories say that the close relationship between the gods and the terrestrial world was normal.

Most of the main gods lived in Olympus, which was their palace and from there they observed the lives of humans, in order to direct it as they pleased, and even when they fought between gods, they involved the fate of the world in their fight. humanity, which is why many territories were devastated.

Although mythology is very fanciful stories, they have been considered part of its history, and with many of its myths they explain natural phenomena, the differences between cultures, some enmities and even many of the traditions that are customary today in some peoples of the world.

The Goddess Athena is the main character of this article, whom we can meet while reading the following contents, and who we consider has great attraction as a goddess of wisdom, who is also considered a possessor of gifts in terms of strategy, science. and skills, put into practice as a warrior goddess.

Biography of the Goddess Athena

The Goddess Athena is one of the deities that has been respected and worshiped in the culture of the ancient Greeks, especially because they considered that she represented justice and wisdom. This especially when she was compared to Ares, who was her brother and was gifted with violence and barbarity.

To get to know this mythological character, we begin by considering that she was born as an adult; because it comes out of Zeus’s forehead, when Hephaestus opens it for him, in order to relieve a headache. Her birth occurred in Libya, near Lake Tritonis, and her mother was Metis.

As we have indicated, his father is Zeus, who is the king of all the gods of Olympus, while his mother Metis is the mother to whom a large part of the race of gods present in what was the Golden Age is owed. from all over the Greek world.

The stories say that when Metis was pregnant, she was swallowed by Zeus, since Uranus and Gaea revealed to him that he would have children more powerful than him, who could dethrone him, and for this reason he swallowed Metis, but when the time for the birth of Metis arrived, Athena suffers from terrible headaches, and when it is opened, Athena comes out in an adult and armed form.

Since his birth he had his eyes set on the dominion of the Greek city, but it was also the object of the attention of Poseidon, who, as we have indicated, was the god of the seas and oceans. Therefore they allowed the citizens themselves to decide who to worship.

The city was under the government of Cecrops, to whom both gods showed their talents; Poseidon’s being to make water flow from the soils, although they were salty; while the Goddess Athena teaches them the secrets for cultivating the olive tree, which was essential for feeding the people as well as for obtaining its oil, which was used to feed the flames.

When Cecrops values ​​both attributes, he determines that what Athena offers is of greater benefit, which is why he accepts her as the protective Goddess and the main divinity that will be acclaimed by all the people. However, this angers Poseidon, who in revenge floods part of the city with his salty waters.

All this represented a great controversy, but despite this, the Athenian people, being of a marine vocation, always maintained a certain affinity towards Poseidon. So much so that he has a beautiful temple in the enclave of Cape Sounion, which can be observed through the following image; presenting the state in which it is currently located.

The Goddess Athena is a symbol of wisdom, a specialist in arts and crafts. She is also the representative of creative intelligence and the patron saint of all ceramists, weavers, builders and many artisans. But without forgetting all of her qualities as a warrior goddess, with prudent courage as described in the pages of Homer’s literary work called the Iliad.

She admired mortals who showed godlike qualities, such as Perseus, who was a demigod who helped him kill Medusa, who was a monster with snakes on her head and who turned anyone who looked at him into stone.

She was also involved in helping Heracles or as most people know him, under the name Hercules, who was also a demigod. Finally we have Odysseus or as this character has been popularly known under the name of Ulysses, who was not a demigod, but had all the cunning and intelligence necessary to be a recipient of the goddess’s help. (We invite you to know what Nymphs are)

As for love, she always showed herself with a certain distance from both men and gods, remaining a virgin for this reason. Although she is said to have had a son with Hephaestus, who persecuted her, after being abandoned by Aphrodite.

This fact being described as fertilization without actually requiring the act as such; Well, Hephaestus takes her by the arms and, being excited, leaves semen on the goddess’s leg, which is dried by her with a knitting wool, which she then throws to the ground, her son being fertilized on the ground and called Ericthonius.

She considers him her own son and educates him, later leaving him in the hands of the daughters of the King of Athens. All this shows us how fascinating the life of this virtuous goddess was, who also favored the sciences and industries of all peoples, since her inventions were carried out under her gift of reflection and meditation. In the image we see Hephaestus, considered God of the forge or blacksmith. (find out who the Demigod Achilles was)

Characteristics

The goddess Athena was endowed with certain characteristics that allowed her to be identified when compared to the other goddesses of Olympus. She is therefore one of the most important in Greek mythology, which is why we are going to list each of the aspects that make her a goddess.

Goddess daughter of Zeus and Metis, who is born within her own father, after swallowing her mother. Athena is born as an adult and armed. This goddess in Roman mythology is represented by the Goddess Minerva, and also called Pallas Athena. She is the favorite daughter of the God Zeus, king of all Olympus, and is also his advisor. She also liked to be the guide of many demigods such as Hercules, or mortals like Ulysses, to whom she provided advice and protection. She was present during the development of the Trojan War. Many of her consider that the Argonauts owe her creativity in the construction of her ships. Zeus entrusted her with her Medusa-headed shield, her aegis, and her thunderbolt, which is her main weapon.

She was a virgin goddess, her son was fertilized on earth and named Ericthonius. She is related to the art of weaving, for this reason in her honor cloaks were offered as symbols of protection. She is a personification of intelligence. Many epithets have been adopted for her such as maiden, champion, shovels, owl eyes and many others. It symbolizes everything martial, just, moral, artisanal or wise. She is the protector of the city of Athens. She is a majestic virgin, with a beautiful face, eyes of a beautiful light gray color and her body is strong but full of grace.

The Goddess Athena, due to all these characteristics, occupies an important place in the classical pantheon, since as the patron saint of the Athenians, she was involved throughout her antiquity, especially from a political and cultural point of view, with which she extended all her influence throughout the Mediterranean.

Know your clothing

The clothing of the Goddess Athena is part of her entire personality, because as it is said, she is born as an adult and equipped with all her weapons. For this reason she is seen with complete armor and with a helmet on her head, she also has a spear and a shield on which the head of Medusa is depicted, which we have already mentioned.

This Medusa was one of the protective goddesses of the religions of ancient Greece, which…