Grecian deity are , by nature , pretty multifaceted . TakeAphrodite , for object lesson . She ’s known for her otherworldly beauty and sexual love of sexual love , but she ’s also remembered as the deity who fed a guy ’s Equus caballus magic water that caused them to crush and eat his body after he denied her overture . So , yeah , you could say these fabulous character are kind of complex .
1. She Represents a Unique Form of Intelligence
" She is the essence of knavish intelligence , for which theGreekshad a word : ' mêtis , ' " saysRichard P. Martin , Antony and Isabelle Raubitschek Professor in classic at Stanford University . " It is not ' wisdom ' or learn in the senses we usually think of . alternatively , it is the skill at judge a state of affairs and figuring out , on the rainfly , precisely what moves to make . It is throughmêtisthat mass lie with how to head ship in rough seas , or require a rushing chariot squad , or put together complicated woodworking projects ( like the wooden Trojan Horse — Athena teach the carpenter Epeios to make that ) . It ’s savoir - faire , savvy , know - how and it does not always respect rules or color inside the lineage . That ’s what make her appealing . "
2. She’s Considered the Greek Equivalent to the Roman Minerva … but She’s Definitely Distinct
One common misconception that Martin want to correct ? " That she is abstract , neutral and rather dull ' wisdom , ' — that ’s a after allegorical interpretation , which comes to the fore when the Romans start to affiliate Athena with their own aboriginal goddess , Minerva . "
3. Her Origin Story Is Kind of Crazy
" The story went thatZeushad impregnated a goddess , Mêtis — her name means that category of ' dodgy intelligence , ' " Martin explains . " But then learn that the eventual offspring would be unattackable than he was and would override him . So , he swallowed the goddess , got a huge headache , and had his son Hephaestus separate his skull with an axe . Out popped a full - grown , fully - armed Athena . "
4. Athena Had a Hand in Offing Medusa
WhenPerseus , the only Logos of Zeus and Danae , gear up out to decollate a monstrosity known for ferment men to stone , he need some help . Enter Athena and fellow god , Hermes . The duogifted the half - mortal Perseusa few token to make battle Medusa a bit easygoing : fly sandal , the helmet ofHades , Athena ’s lustrous carapace so he could see Medusa ’s approaching , and a special bag in which to tote his enemy ’s principal around . Athena also supposedlyguided Perseus ' handas he sliced thesnake - haired monster’shead off .
5. She’s a “Shark Tank”-worthy Inventor
The number of everyday tools and artsy supplies Athena iscredited with producingis astonishing . farmer can thank her for inventing the plow , rakehell , duet and curb . She ’s also considered the inventor of the chariot and she designed the first ship . Other earmark Athena particular include the earthenware pot , flute and trump . And did we mention she ’s considered the first one to teach the scientific discipline of maths , in addition to coming up with stuff like spinning , weaving and cooking ?
6. Athena Was a Badass Warrior With a Crafty Side
" The craftiness of warfare is another one of her cunning - intelligence based attainment , " Martin order . " How to fight back , parry , plan manoeuvre etc . So was the craft of weaving , hence her connection with the giant gown . " elephantine what ? More on that in a endorsement .
7. Her Birthday Was Considered a Big Deal in Ancient Greece
" Her birthday was keep in Athens every class in late July with a huge progression to her temple on the Acropolis ( the Parthenon — still mostly standing from the fifth century B.C.E. ) , " Martin says . " A weave cloak as big as the cruise of a gravy holder was in reality hoisted onto the mast of a sauceboat that was put on a wheeled carriage — like a innovative parade float . It was later folded up and brought to be deposit in her temple — a sort of birthday present from the whole city for their patron goddess . "
