Athena was the goddess of war, wisdom, and the useful arts-- farming, spinning, weaving, and music. Athena was born out of the head of Zeus, fully grown and dressed in a robe and helmet. She was never considered to have a mother, only a father—Zeus, and she was Zeus’ “preferred” daughter. Zeus showed his favoritism to his daughter by loaning her his chariot and weapons and even gave Athena her own special shield—the aegis—marked with the head of Medusa. The aegis was Athena’s symbol of power, and it turned people to stone. The goddess of war was not quickly angered, but when her temper was aroused, she came down with great wrath. The goddess used the shield on her most hated enemies.
Athena was one of the most powerful goddesses, and she protected cities, states and heroes, who often prayed to her for help with journeys and conquests. Although Athena was the goddess of war, she only supported those who fought with the right purpose in mind, and she much preferred thinking wisely through problems to come to a solution. Nonetheless, she protected armies in war and worked to insure the warriors a safe trip home. Moreover, her main interest was in the city and people of Athens, a city named in honor of her. It was said that she fought with Poseidon over who should rule the city; so Zeus decided to settle the argument with a challenge—whoever could supply a better gift to the people would rule over the city. Poseidon gave them water, but it was too salty for the people to drink, so Athena’s gift of the olive tree won. Thus, in honor of Athena, the people named the city of Athens and constructed an elaborate temple called the Parthenon, in which they built a statue of the goddess.
Athena was very skilled in the crafts as well, and she invented many objects and useful tools. Among these were the chariot, ships, the flute, trumpet, rake, plow, and the loom. She gave these tools, as gifts, to humans to make their lives easier and more interesting, and she often taught them how to work the crafts, utilizing the tools. One of the goddesses’ favorite crafts was weaving. Along with the recognition of her many other skills and powers she was notorious for her fine craftsmanship on the loom; she was thought to have been the best weaver in the world.
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