athena

Athena


 * Athena The Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War.**

Athena is the daughter of Zeus. Poseidon is her Uncle, God of the Sea. She is the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War. Athena also invented the horse-bit which tamed horses for the men to use them. There are several tales on how Athena was born. One tale is that she was born fully armed from her father's forehead. This is because he swallowed her mother Metis, while she was pregnant with Athena. Zeus swallowed his wife because he feared that she would have a son mightier than himself. Athena and her Uncle Poseidon competed for the affections of the Greeks. Each of them had to provide a gift to the nation. Poseidon provided a horse and Athena provided an olive tree. Athena's olive tree provided shade, oil and olives. The Greeks preferred her gift over her Uncle's and named a city after her.

Athena is known by other names. One of her titles was "Grey-Eyed". She was given that name because of her gift to the Greeks. The underside of the olive leaf is gray, and when the wind lifts the leaves of the Olive tree, people say it shows Athena's many "eyes". The Parthenon is one of the most well preserved and best known temple that was dedicated to Athena.

Athena's companion was the goddess of victory, Nike, and her usual attribute is the owl. Nike is the Greek personification of victory. She can run and fly at a great speed. She is a constant companion of Athena.

Greek Goddess Athena
 * Goddess Athena**