by Christina Pomoni

Created on: September 13, 2008

Being one of the most compassionate goddesses, strong, fair, and merciful, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, craftsmanship, strategy and war. The Greek mythology refers to Athena as one of the three virgin goddesses, Artemis, Athena and Hestia, who remained untouched by Aphrodite's spells and the consequent pull of marriage and motherhood. In a sense, Athena was, in fact, the prototype of the present-day "career woman".

Athena was the beloved daughter of Zeus and Metis, Zeus's first spouse before Hera. Afraid that Metis would give birth to a son, who might be more powerful than Athena, he swallowed Athena. However, when he started suffering from terrible headaches he asked the help of Hephaestus. Hephaestus struck Zeus's head with a big hammer and then Athena emerged well armed, wearing helmet and keeping a shield.

Athena was typically depicted holding a spear, while her golden helmet allowed some of her elegant beauty to be visible. Although her appearance insinuated fighting in battle, Athena was worshipped mostly for her role as judge, diplomat, and mediator. Being an excellent planner, Athena was always working towards the prevention of war and she did that for the Trojan War as well. She descended from Olympus and walking between the two armies she made both sides swear in the name of peace. However, Pandaros, a Trojan soldier, acting in cowardice, violated his oath and let loose his arrow, which initiated the Trojan War. Being greatly dissatisfied, Athena decided to help the other side with the great idea of the Trojan horse.

Being always fair and compassionate in her decisions, Athena was an outstanding strategist. She was often helping gods and mortal heroes with her thorough logic and her ability to fairly judge the pros and the cons of every situation. Offering them her guidance and protection, Athena helped them to triumph in their battles.

The temple of Parthenon in Athens, Greece is dedicated to goddess Athena. Athena and Poseidon claimed the same city. To solve their dispute they climbed up the rock of Acropolis and in front of all the Athenians they decided that the one that would offer the most beautiful gift would acquire the city. Poseidon struck with his trident the side of the hill and a well spurted. The crown admired Poseidon's gift, but the water was salty like the water of the sea that Poseidon was controlling, so his gift was not very useful. Athena offered an olive tree, which was a better gift as it could provide the city with food,

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