Athena, the goddess of battle wisdom-the eighth Olympian
Athena, also referred to as Pallas Athena, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Minerva is the Roman goddess identified with Athena. Athena comes from Zeus and the goddess Metis. Actually the story of Athena’s birth is incredibly interesting. As Zeus had intercourse with Metis, He remembered a prophecy that stated that should he get Metis pregnant, his child would be stronger than him. So as they had intercourse, Zeus swallowed Metis. But it was too late. Metis had already conceived. Later on, Zeus started to develop some head-aches, and when Prometheus or Ares (the sources vary) split open his head. Athena jumped out, fully clad in battle armor.
Athena never had a consort or lover and is thus known as Athena Parthenos or in English the "Virgin Athena". The Parthenon, on the Acropolis in Athens, gets its name from here. This is not only an observation of her virginity, but rather recognition of her role as enforcer of rules of sexual modesty and ritual mystery.
Another interesting story is her clash with Poseidon on two different occasions. The first time that they clashed was when Athens was trying to choose their patron. Athena won this battle, and Poseidon left the judging grounds in a good sense of sportsmanship. Another time, Poseidon brought the once beautiful Medusa into Athena's temple and they had sexual intercourse there. Athena, angered, cursed Medusa because she couldnt hurt Poseidon. Medusa was turned into a horrendous creature. If you looked upon her, you would turn to stone.
Athena never had a consort or lover and is thus known as Athena Parthenos or in English the "Virgin Athena". The Parthenon, on the Acropolis in Athens, gets its name from here. This is not only an observation of her virginity, but rather recognition of her role as enforcer of rules of sexual modesty and ritual mystery.
Another interesting story is her clash with Poseidon on two different occasions. The first time that they clashed was when Athens was trying to choose their patron. Athena won this battle, and Poseidon left the judging grounds in a good sense of sportsmanship. Another time, Poseidon brought the once beautiful Medusa into Athena's temple and they had sexual intercourse there. Athena, angered, cursed Medusa because she couldnt hurt Poseidon. Medusa was turned into a horrendous creature. If you looked upon her, you would turn to stone.