Post by Shippie on May 19, 2015 1:27:16 GMT
Well to kick off the first post in this section I figured why not dedicate it to the alluring goddess for which this particular forum is so aptly named.
Athena, or Athene, often referred to by the epithet Pallas, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Athena is often equated with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena is often portrayed as a shrewd companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavor, as well as the virgin patroness of the city of Athens. She is also specifically known for her strategic skill and prowess in combat.
Being as she was born of Zeus by springing directly from his forehead, fully clothed and armoured (so the legend goes), Athena has no mother -- although she is the female counterpart of Ares so she may technically have a brother. According to Homer’s account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. In the Odyssey, she was angry and unforgiving. In the course of the Trojan War, she struck Ajax with madness. However, according to some sources, Athena had a softer side to her oft fire-y personality, being praised for her unrivaled compassion and generosity. Needless to say this goddess is quite the complex character, though it did not hinder her heavenly spirit, as she went on to serve as a guardian of Athens. She resided over her city from the temple Parthenon, wielding the aegis and thunderbolt of mighty Zeus to reign over Athens with righteous justice and conviction.
Being the goddess of wisdom, courage, strength and war strategy certainly aided the heavenly Athena in her conquests. The gray-eyed goddess, with her owl and olive tree, reared Ericthonius, son of Hephaestus, who was half man and half serpent. What's more, Hermes and Athena went to the aid of Perseus in his quest to kill Medusa. As the myth goes, looking directly at Medusa would turn any man to stone, so Athena provided Perseus with her polished shield. Using it, he was able to see Medusa as if looking in a mirror. Again, Athena guided his hand as he cut off Medusa’s head with his sword. Athena, aided by Hera, also fought in the Trojan War against Paris for awarding the golden apple to Aphrodite. Athena also helped Hercules when, as a part of his penance, he was required to drive away the Stymphalian birds. She got them moving, and Hercules shot them. As you can plainly see, there is much this Greek goddess has done to earn the righteous praise so often showered upon her. Fiction or not, Athena is a legendary idol to aspiring scholars and great warriors alike.
Sources:
"Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom & War" Greek Gods and Goddesses. n.p. © September 19, 2014
[ greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/athena ]
"Athena" Greek Mythology. Greek Mythology. © 1997-2015
[ www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Athena/athena.html ]
"Athena" Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. n.d.
[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athena ]
Athena, or Athene, often referred to by the epithet Pallas, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Athena is often equated with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena is often portrayed as a shrewd companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavor, as well as the virgin patroness of the city of Athens. She is also specifically known for her strategic skill and prowess in combat.
Being as she was born of Zeus by springing directly from his forehead, fully clothed and armoured (so the legend goes), Athena has no mother -- although she is the female counterpart of Ares so she may technically have a brother. According to Homer’s account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. In the Odyssey, she was angry and unforgiving. In the course of the Trojan War, she struck Ajax with madness. However, according to some sources, Athena had a softer side to her oft fire-y personality, being praised for her unrivaled compassion and generosity. Needless to say this goddess is quite the complex character, though it did not hinder her heavenly spirit, as she went on to serve as a guardian of Athens. She resided over her city from the temple Parthenon, wielding the aegis and thunderbolt of mighty Zeus to reign over Athens with righteous justice and conviction.
Being the goddess of wisdom, courage, strength and war strategy certainly aided the heavenly Athena in her conquests. The gray-eyed goddess, with her owl and olive tree, reared Ericthonius, son of Hephaestus, who was half man and half serpent. What's more, Hermes and Athena went to the aid of Perseus in his quest to kill Medusa. As the myth goes, looking directly at Medusa would turn any man to stone, so Athena provided Perseus with her polished shield. Using it, he was able to see Medusa as if looking in a mirror. Again, Athena guided his hand as he cut off Medusa’s head with his sword. Athena, aided by Hera, also fought in the Trojan War against Paris for awarding the golden apple to Aphrodite. Athena also helped Hercules when, as a part of his penance, he was required to drive away the Stymphalian birds. She got them moving, and Hercules shot them. As you can plainly see, there is much this Greek goddess has done to earn the righteous praise so often showered upon her. Fiction or not, Athena is a legendary idol to aspiring scholars and great warriors alike.
Sources:
"Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom & War" Greek Gods and Goddesses. n.p. © September 19, 2014
[ greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/athena ]
"Athena" Greek Mythology. Greek Mythology. © 1997-2015
[ www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Athena/athena.html ]
"Athena" Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. n.d.
[ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athena ]
