Myths of Goddess

    Like Gods, each Goddess was worshiped for their unique offerings as well.  Some of the most popular Goddesses are Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty and Love. 

Each of these Goddesses has a unique story.     

    Athena is the daughter of Zeus, and the myth states that she was born from her father’s head, full grown, and in a suit of armor.  She was Zeus’ favorite child, and Athens was named for her.  She was the Goddess of War but did not like to fight.  She was a peaceful person and preferred that arguments be resolved without battle (Stebbins, 1998). 

    Aphrodite’s name is translated to mean foam risen.  As the story is told, Uranus castrated Zeus and threw his genitals into the ocean.  Aphrodite was born from this act, which makes her another daughter of Zeus.  She is the Goddess of love and beauty.  The legend of Aphrodite tells a tale of bribery.  Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena attended the wedding of King Peleus and Thetis.  The Goddess of discord Eris was enraged because she did not receive an invitation to the event and she threw an apple in the middle of the floor that was labeled to the fairest.  The three Goddesses, Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena fought over the apple because they each believed that they were the fairest Goddess.  The Prince of Troy, Paris was elected to decide who the fairest Goddess was.  Each of them attempted to bribe Paris to be chosen.  Aphrodite offered Paris Helen of Troy, who was said to be the most beautiful woman, and in return Paris chose Aphrodite as the fairest Goddess.  According to the books by Homer this was the beginning of the Trojan War (Paris, 1998).