Goddess of Wisdom Athena Greek Mythology Of Military Victory

Athena, the Greek Goddess of Military Victory, came to be known as the Goddess of Wisdom in the later part of the 5th century during the Classical period. The Athena Parthenos (Athena the Maiden) in the temple, Parthenon, portrayed her with a helmet perched high on her forehead, her face a symbol of peace, wearing full armor, and carrying a spear. Gorgoneion, the head of the gorgon Medusa, is engraved at the center of her shield. This was the famous 36 m tall gold and ivory figurine.


Athena, the daughter of Metis and Zeus, was born in a most unusual manner. Zeus had come to know that a son borne by Metis would be stronger than Zeus himself. So he swallowed Metis little knowing that she was already pregnant. The child was born and brought up inside Zeus who was plagued with headaches. He then went to Hephaestus who opened his head with a double-headed Minoan axe. Athena, full-grown, armed and ready for war, emerged from Zeus’ head. She inherited her mother’s wisdom and craftwork and hence was known as Goddess of Wisdom as well as Goddess of Crafts.

The flute, the trumpet, the plough, the rake, the ox-yoke, the earthenware pot, the ship, the chariot, the horse-bridle – all had been invented by Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. Also, she was the first teacher of the science of numbers. Other arts attributed to Athena are cooking and spinning. Athena’s technical knowledge helped in metal work and weaving.

The Goddess of Wisdom, Athena is linked with Athens. It is said that there was a contest between Poseidon and Athena over the ownership of Athens. This dispute was to be settled by the people of the unnamed city. Whoever could give the city the most useful gift would be the patron of the city. Poseidon provided the city with a fountain of salty water which was not of much use. Athena planted the first olive tree which provided the people of the city with its basic necessity like food, oil, shelter and firewood. The people accepted the olive tree and made Athena the patron of the city. To honor her, the city was named Athens and her statue was built. The goddess Athena was known by the Romans as goddess Minerva.

The olive tree and the owl are revered by Athena. Most of the times she is accompanied by Nike, the goddess of victory. In later Greek mythology, Athena has been portrayed as the counselor of Heracles, Odysseus, Jason and many other heroes. She has been worshipped in the festival of the Panathenaea, during the Classical period Acropolis. Many titles had been given to her – Athena Ergane, Athena Parthenos, Athena Polias, and Athena Hippeia to name a few. With all these epithets to her credit, she has been rightfully called the Goddess of Wisdom. Athena