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Athenas influences and importances
Importance of Greek mythology
Athenas influences and importances
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Greek mythology is something that everyone knows of, not only because it is so interesting, but because of the many gods and goddesses. One of the most well known goddesses being Goddess Athena who portrayed so many good characteristics. Although Goddess Athena is best known for wisdom, military skill, and crafts, she is also known for her mythological influence on the modern day world and her acts of heroism.
Athena was Zeus's daughter, and his favorite to be exact. Athena's mother was Metis, goddess of prudence, and she didn't give birth to Athena the way other mothers gave birth to their children. When Athena was born she sprang out of Zeus's head, when Hephaestus "struck his father's skull," fully grown and in full armor wearing the "robe
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(34) So Zeus decided to trick Metis and play a game, and that's how Metis got into Zeus's head. While Metis was in Zeus's head she became pregnant and she made her baby girl a robe and helmet. Zeus swallowed Metis because he was afraid of getting dethroned and because he wanted to keep Metis for her wise council. (34) When Athena was born her grey eyes flashed, …show more content…
Hephaestus, the god that split his fathers head, "became very attracted to Athena." (Wickersham) Hephaestus tried to force Athena to bear his children. However, Athena being the powerful goddess she was, "resisted him and his seed fell to the ground." (Wickersham) From that seed Erichthanius was born "a half-man, half-snake." Athena put Erichthanius into a box and told two woman to "watch the box and not look inside." But the two woman looked inside and were driven mad, thus causing them to commit suicide. (Wickersham) So Athena took Erichthanius and watched over him herself. Erichthanius grew up to "have a great deal of respect for Athena and later became the king of her city, Athens" (Wickersham) Athena invented many things to help others. She came up with the "horse
The goddesses Played a vital role in Greek society for they were responsible for many aspects of Greek. life, i.e., a life of a child. birth, harvest, etc. Accompanying the 6 major goddesses (Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Hestia, Demeter and Artemis) we have the lesser divinities such as the Muses, the Graces, the Fates, etc. The second level of women used in Greek mythology is that of the human.
After Zeus left, Amphityron returned and also slept with his wife. As a result, Alcmene had twins, Iphicles and Hercules. Because Zeus knew what kind of child Alcmene would soon be having, he said that the next boy born would be the future king of Olympus. Hera, Zeus’ wife, was never content when Zeus had a child with another woman, let alone a mortal woman, and especially one with such a promising future. As a result, she postponed Hercules’ birth so that his first cousin, once removed, would be the one receiving Zeus’ prophecy.
His grandfather, is King of Argos, his name is Acrisius. Acrisius had a daughter named Danae, however he wanted a son. So in search for an answer towards having a son, Acrisius went to the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle said that Acrisius’ daughter, Danae would be the one to carry a baby boy, but this child would kill Acrisius. To avoid his own death, Acrisius created an underground chamber to lock his daughter in, therefore, she would be unable to conceive a child. Little did Acrisius know that Zeus would shape shift into golden rain and conceive a child with Danae. Naturally, Danae gave birth to Perseus. When she was let out of this underground chamber Danae met Polydectes. Polydectes was determined to make Danae his wife and that is exactly what happened. Perseus was unable to grant his mother and Polydectes a gift, so he was told to bring back Medusa’s head. Perseus was successful in retrieving Medusa’s head. On his journey back home he met a beautiful Goddess who was in distress. Perseus saved her from a horrific sea monster and they instantly fell in love and wanted to be joined together in holy matrimony. However, Andromeda’s uncle was no too pleased with this decision. He wanted Andromeda only for himself. Therefore he planned to murder Perseus but was unsuccessful since Perseus had the advantage of Medusa’s head. Perseus showed Andromeda’s uncle Medusa’s face and he then was turned to stone. When he returned home with the gift, he found out Polydectes was abusing his mother. Instead of giving him the present he used it against Polydectes and turned him to stone as well. Acrisius became aware of what Perseus was capable of doing so he decided to flee. Although that didn’t help as much as he believed it would. Perseus and his grandfather ran into each other at the Games Ceremony, in Larissa. When Perseus went to throw the discus it slipped from his grasp and clashed into his grandfather’s head, killing
Hephaestus, was one of the twelve Greek Gods, the lame God of blacksmiths, sculptors, metallurgy, fire, and volcanos. He is symbolised with a hammer, anvil, or a pair of tongs. As stated in Homer’s epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, he is the son of Zeus, the king of gods, and Hera, the goddess of women and marriage. Contradicting that, according to Hesiod Hera had Hephaestus alone; because she was jealous that Zeus bred Aphrodite by himself. Hera reportedly after Hephaestus was born threw him off Mount. Olympus because he was ugly, when he fell Hephaestus broke both his legs, leaving him crippled. He fell into the ocean and was brought up by Thetis and Eurynome, the goddesses of the sea. Hephaestus never forgave Hera. As revenge he fashioned
Circe and Calypso were mentioned prior but, a few other goddesses I find important are Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena. Hera’s role involves carrying out her duties as a wife to Zeus, at times though, Hera stands up for what she thinks is right regardless of her husband’s opinion. In book 14 of The Iliad, Hera’s mischievous side comes out when she uses magic to trick both Aphrodite and Zeus in order to help the Achaeans behind her husband’s back. This implies that Hera is a bit of a nuisance to Zeus and her loyalty teeters at times making her untrustworthy. As for Aphrodite, her roles in both of the epics involved some kind of unfaithfulness whether on her part or on another’s.
The people of Greece believed in mythology and believed they were blessed by the deity which inspired the artists’ creation of the spectacular sculptures including Athena Parthenos, the goddess of wisdom. Wisdom during this period was highly regarded. Most of the sculptures in Athens were made of different types of bronze. (See Figure 1.)
Poseidon was similar to his brother Zeus in exerting his power on women and in objectifying masculinity. He had many love affairs and fathered numerous children. Poseidon once married a Nereid, Amphitrite, and produced Triton who was half-human and half-fish. He also impregnated the Gorgon Medusa to conceive Chrysaor and Pegasus, the flying horse. The rape of Aethra by Poseidon resulted in the birth of Theseus; and he turned Caeneus into a man, at her request, after raping her. Another rape involved Amymone when she tried to escape from a satyr and Poseidon saved her. Other offspring of Poseidon include: Eumolpus, the Giant Sinis, Polyphemus, Orion, King Amycus, Proteus, Agenor and Belus from Europa, Pelias, and the King of Egypt, Busiris.
Mythology was very important to the men and women of ancient Greece. They worshipped the gods and goddesses, wrote poems about them, and based a great deal of art work off of them. The people of Greece looked to the gods and goddesses for help in all aspects of their lives; including health, agriculture, and war. Reading about Greek mythology can inform people about the society of Greece because the Greek gods were created by the people of Greece. Three main goddesses who were worshipped by the Greeks were Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.
Athena was born beside the river Triton where she was nurtured by 3 nymphs. One of the nymphs
The ancient Greeks were responsible for some of the most impressive and elaborate architectural constructions of their time, with one of their finest creations formerly being located at Ephesus. One of the largest buildings of its time, the Temple of Artemis served as a place of worship to Artemis, goddess of the hunt (referred to as Diana by the Romans, who also used the temple). Over its long history, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times but maintained its status as a marvelous piece of craftsmanship, and a sign of architectural prowess. From the dimensions of the structure itself to the number of people who came from distant lands to experience it, this temple was regarded highly by many cultures.The Temple of Artemis
Athena’s interesting life started by a very strange birth. When Athena’s mother Metis was impregnated, Athena’s father, Zeus, swallowed her. (2) Soon Zeus had great head pains, so he got Hephaestus to cut open his head with an axe. (5) When he sliced open Zeus’s head, Athena emerged fully grown and with a set of armor on. (2) Even though Zeus had many other children, Athena became his favorite. (8) She had many half brothers and sisters to compete against for this title including Hermes, Hephaestus, Apollo, Ares, Hebe, Artemis, Aphrodite, Persephone, and Tityus. (3)
Athena was the Greek Goddess of many ideas, but she was famous mostly for her superior wisdom, her cunning skills in times of war, and her implausible talent for household tasks, such as weaving and pottery. She was celebrated more than any other God in ancient mythology, was the supposed inventor of countless innovations, and her figure gave reason for Greek women to gain rights long before others of their time. The goddess of war, the guardian of Athens, and the defender of Heroes; Athena’s impact on the lives of Ancient Greeks is outstanding. As a resident on Mount Olympus, Athena rightfully represents both intelligence and strategy (Grant, Hazel 83). Symbols that identify with the goddess include the owl for wisdom and the olive branch for peace (Athena or Minerva. 1).
Athena was the goddess of war and wisdom. Daughter of Zeus and Metis, but born from only Zeus. Gaea the Earth goddess told Zeus that his child would u...