The Roles Of Athena, The Greek Goddess Of Wisdom

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, represents courage, civilization, law, strength, the arts, and skill. Athena had a significant role in the Greek mythology and in the lives of the Athenians and all Greeks.

Athena was the daughter of Zeus and Metis. Zeus was the God of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. Metis was the first wife of Zeus, and the goddess of prudence and thought. Metis was supposed to have two children: first, Athena, then a son so powerful he would overthrow Zeus. So, he tricked Metis into turning herself into a fly and swallowed her. However, Metis was already pregnant with Athena. Zeus was overwhelmed with pain and asked Hephaestus to hit him in the head with an axe and as soon as he did, Athena jumped out, fully grown and covered in armor. The myths state that Athena had no mother and that she was born from Zeus alone because ancient Greeks believed that children

Many rulers desired her wisdom in both government and military matters. She was considered the provider of all basic knowledge necessary for the civilization. Athena was also known as Parthenos, the virgin, and that is why the most famous ancient temple in Athens was named the Parthenon. There are two more temples dedicated to her at the Acropolis – the Athena Nike and the Erectheum. In addition, she helped women by inventing spinning and weaving.

As goddess of handicrafts, Athena created many useful items, such as the potter 's wheel, vase, horse bridle, chariot, and ship. She was the patron of architects and sculptors and the inventor of numbers and mathematics, which of course influenced many aspects of civilization. Athena took a special interest in agricultural work, giving farmers the rake, plow, and yoke and teaching them how to use oxen to cultivate their fields. Athena even tried her hand at musical