Saturday, 6 June 2015
Athena
Athena’s father is Zeus and her mother is Metis, who got
swallowed by Zeus while she had Athena. Athena’s birth was very unusual and
amazing. It happened when Zeus had a splitting headache and a god split his
head, then she sprang out of his forehead fully grown and in armour. Athena was
Zeus’s favourite child and was sometimes allowed to use his famous lightning
bolt. Athena’s uncle was Poseidon, Poseidon wasn’t very pleased about Athena,
and her aunt is Oemater. Hera was Athena’s aunt she was also her stepmother.
Athena’s half-brother was Hermes and there was once a statue called Hermathena,
some of their powers were alternate. Hemphaestus was also Athena’s half-brother
and so was Apollo. Artemis was Athena’s half-sister. Ares and
Hebe was also her half-brother. There are many more if you include all of Zeus’s
demi-god children.
Athena is in charge of many things, she is mainly
the goddess of wisdom, crafty and war strategy. But she was also in charge of
inspiration, civilization, mathematics, strength, the arts and skill in Ancient
Greek religion and mythology.
Athena’s main symbol is her sacred animal
the well-known owl found on Tetradrachm Coins founds in Athens. She also
got symbolized by a round shield, a helmet carried with her hand or on her
head. There was also her cloak, a lance and her olive coming from her special
olive trees and last of all was a serpent.
In Ancient Greek there was once a contest between Athena and
Poseidon it was about who was going to be the new patron deity for the
city-state Athens. Athena and Poseidon were the two gods who were particularly
interested in it. They both presented themselves in front of Cercrops who was
half-snake and half-human and the first king of Athens. Cercrops asked for them
to offer a gift that would truly be useful and grateful for Athens. Poseidon
came first he struck the earth powerfully and created a well with his trident.
Then immediately water came streaming shot forth. However the water did turn
out to be salty which was terrible for the population. Then it came time for
Athena’s turn, she struck her spear into the ground and kneeled down and
planted an olive branch in its place. This way she created an olive tree to
show her peace and prosperity on earth. Cecrops was very impressed and pleased
with her gift. So he rewarded Athena with the place and the city was named
after her. This made Poseidon furious so he casted a curse on Athens which was
for them to have massive water shortage.
After that it was believed that Athens had water shortage and it
continues until today.
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