Athena's Role in Greek Religion

by J.O. and E.S.

Introduction

Athena, also commonly referred to as Athene, is known in Greek religion as the goddess of warfare, wisdom and the arts. Athena, one of the twelve Olympian gods, contributed, through the use of her wisdom and gifts in battle, to the mythology of Greece in a number of ways. Most notably, Athena gave advice and help to those whom she respected. From her bizarre and violent creation to the magnificent statues and temples built in her honor, Athena should be viewed as one of the most significant goddesses in Greek religion.

Creation of Athena

Athena was born from Zeus' head
The birth of Athena, chief of the three virgin goddesses, can accurately be pictured if you imagine an earthquake measuring 8.6 on the Richter Scale, Hurricane Andrew and an eclipse taking place simultaneously. According to Murray (1895), the goddess of warfare was born from the mighty head of Zeus, with Hephaestos performing the delivery by using his tools to smash Zeus's head open. Athena was the product of the union brought about when Zeus swallowed his lover, Metis, the goddess of prudence. Zeus was warned by Earth that the son they would have together would prove more powerful than himself and would be murdered by his son just as Zeus had murdered his father, Cronus. Zeus decided that he must prevent this and take action. Casually, he proposed that Metis play a game of changing shapes and when in the shape of a fly, Zeus opened his mouth and swallowed her. For a while after, Metis sat in his head and when it was decided that she was to have a daughter, Metis wove a grand robe. When Zeus started suffering from painful headaches and crying out in agony, Athena was delivered. She was fully armed and grown, sporting her aegis, a protective goatskin that contained magical powers.

Skills and Talents of Athena

Athena is commonly referred to as the goddess of skill, so it comes as no surprise that she was endowed with a plentitude of skill as well as talent. Athena is commonly referred to as the goddess of skill, so it comes as no surprise that she was endowed with a plentitude of skill as well as talent. Athena used her skill in art to be a master of spinning and weaving.According to Murray (1895), this common skill is credited as an invention of Athena’s and was a popular occupation for the women of Greece. Another contribution of Athena’s was her involvement in teaching men to tame unruly horses. She was also known to have played the flute. According to Liang (1982), this instrument as well as the plough, rake, and ox-yoke, are inventions credited to this goddess.

Symbolism

Athena's personality can be conveyed by one of her many epithets: Pallas Athena. According to Murray (1895), this title can be used to express both sides of her character. Pallas shows that she is violent and mighty and is a goddess of storms. Pallas also tells of her frightening appearance as the wearer of the aegis, able to conquer even Ares, god of war, with her lightening spear.At the same time Athena means to enjoy peace, wisdom, art, virginity, as well as gentle and pure. Athena shows the softer side of the goddess, who, in times free of war, would use her influence for the sake of peace and prosperity. Murray (1895) expressed:
The head of Medusa
was a common visual image

If we observe and keep clearly before our minds these two sides of her character, the inseparable union of both, and there action and reaction upon each other, we shall see that this goddess, Pallas Athene, is one of the most profound conceptions of a deep religous feeling-- a being unto whose hands the pious Greek could, with due reverence commit his keeping. (p. )

Athena is usually portrayed as wearing a helmet made for her by Metis, and her aegis with the head of Medusa upon it. Athena helped her friend Perseus kill the gorgon Medusa and so she wore the head for which she earned the name Gorgophone (gorgon-slayer). Athena is also associated with the owl. She was said to have watched over the Greek city of Athens with the owl, known for its wisdom, perched upon her shoulders. Another symbol of Athena’s was the olive, which was very sacred to her. According to Guirands (1963), Athena and Poseidon, god of the sea, were fighting over control of the city of Attica and it was decided that whoever could perform the greatest wonder and at the same time provide the most useful gift to the land would get the city. Poseidon created a spring that did not provide a steady water supply, but Athena created the first olive tree, which she grew out of bare rock and won the contest.According to Liang (1982), in addition to the owl and the olive, the snake is another symbol of Athena’s. A border of snakes was said to be worn on her aegis. The snake is said to be an attribute.

Myths

Athena was best known for being helpful. She helped the immortal hero Heracles throughout his life before he came to Mount Olympus, home to the gods. She also helped the Achaeans defeat the Trojans during the Trojan war and Odysseus, whom she respected above all other mortals, return to his home, Ithacka, following the Trojan war.

According to Diel (1980), Heracles, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, a rival of Hera’s, the goddess of marriage and home life, was brought to a barren field by Alcmene as a newborn. Alcmene feared for her son, thinking Hera jealous of her relationship with Zeus. She feared that Hera, knowing that the baby was to become a great hero, would destroy him out of jealousy. By a stroke of luck, Athena and Hera came across the baby and Athena pitied him and convinced Hera to nurse Heracles. Hera, unaware that this was the baby of her rival, took Heracles to her breast. Heracles, the hungry baby that he was, was overly eager, and hurt Hera so she plopped him back on the ground. Athena picked up the baby and took him to a nearby city, turning him over to Alcmene to care for and keep safe.

According to Schwab (1946), when Heracles grew up Athena continued to help him. On one of his first journeys, the goddess equipped Heracles with her own armor. She gave Heracles a brazen cuirass as a gift after he conquered the captain of Minyansorcnomenus, out of admiration for his bravery. Athena also gave Heracles two rattles to help him defeat a swarm of Stymphalion birds and when lightening struck him down, sending him up to Mount Olympus to live among the immortals. It was Athena who led him to the circle of gods.

During the Trojan war, Athena helped the Achaeans defeat the Trojans so they could return Helen to her husband Menelaos, (who was kidnapped by the Trojans and given to Paris as a gift).According to Fitzgerald (1987), Hector, the best Trojan warrior and brother to Paris, caused the Achaeans much grief, so Athena took action against him when she discovered Ares fighting for him. Athena, along with Hera, went to Zeus and received permission to drive Ares off the battlefield. Athena stood beside Diomedes, an Achaean warrior, and helped him to muster all of his bravery. His heart filled with joy, Diomedes rushed Ares with his spear and Athena drove it in. All of this frightened Hector and he had his mother, the queen of Troy, find a beautiful robe to offer Athena. Along with the robe, Hector said a prayer. Unfortunately for the Trojans, Athena would not listen. It was Athena who assisted Achilles, another Achaean warrior, in the killing of Hector. She devised a plan, flew down to Troy, and disguised herself as Hector’s brother, Deiphobus. Under the impression that his brother was by his side, Hector faced Achilles in battle. When Achilles attempted to throw the first spear at Hector, he missed, but Athena brought it back to him. Hector charged Achilles with a sword, but Achilles was quicker and drove his spear into Hector’s throat, killing him, and enabling the Achaeans to defeat the Trojans.

In addition to Heracles and the Achaeans, Athena also helped Odysseus, an Achaean warrior, to return to his homeland of Ithacka. According to Grant (1962), the goddess disguised herself as Mentes and Mentor, old friends of Odysseus; in Ithacka, and came to encourage Telemakkos, Odysseus’s son, to find a ship and crew and go on a journey to find his father. Athena helped gather a crew and went on the journey in her disguise.

Athena also changed not only hers, but Odysseus` appearance several times. Once Odysseus reached Ithacka, Athena disguised him as an old beggar so that he would be safe from the suitors who were courting his wife, Penelope, and might want to keep him from returning. When the time came for Odysseus to get rid of the suitors, Athena made Odysseus appear younger and mightier than he really was to scare the suitors.

Festivals and Art

Although Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, was worshipped in Sparta, Corinth, Argos and Thebes, the Athenian Acropolis was her main cult center. According to Liang (1982), although Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, was worshipped in Sparta, Corinth, Argos and Thebes, the Athenian Acropolis was her main cult center. The major festival held in her honor at Athens, called the Panathenaic, was celebrated annually, however, with increased enthusiasm every fourth year. The festivities lasted several days and included processions, athletic games and banquets all leading up to the main event of robeing the ancient statue of Athena. The prizes from the games included large painted vases filled with pure olive oil. At the end of the festivities, chosen girls and women from Athens would carry the hand-woven robe, especially made for the goddess, through the town to be placed on the ancient statue of Athena.

According to Liang (1982), temples dedicated to Athena exist in Paestum, Syracuse and Thasos. The most famous monument is her temple on the Athenian Acropolis known as the Parthenon. It was an ivory and gold statue called "The Temple of Athena Nike," constructed by the sculptor, Phidias. The remnants of the original statue have disappeared. Athena and her sacred owl appeared on Athenian coins, a sculpture depicting Athena mourning for Achilles at Troy is in the Acropolis museum, and Athena was the subject of a play entitled “Eumenides” by Aeschylus, which told how she founded the Areopagus in Athens, the center of judgement.

Conclusion

Athena, from her unique birth, to her much celebrated victory over Poseidon for possession of Acropolis, was a very important figure in Greek mythology. She was famous for her wisdom and helpfulness to mortals.

Works Cited

Try these links for more information:

This webpage was created by J.O. & E.S. on 5/13/98 for History and Thought of Western Man, Rich East High School.

Return to Index