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Athena
by Ryan Tuccinardi
Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and
skill. She was the favorite child of Zeus. She had sprung fully grown out
of her father's head. Her mother was Metis, goddess of wisdom and Zeus'
first wife. In fear that Metis would bear a son mightier than himself. Zeus
swallowed her and she began to make a robe and helmet for her
daughter. The hammering of the helmet caused Zeus great pain in the
form of headaches and he cried out in agony. Skilled Hephaestus ran to
his father and split his skull open and from it emerged Athena, fully
grown and wearing her mother's robe and helmet. She is the virgin
mother of Erichthnonius.
Athena and her uncle Poseidon were both very fond of a certain city in
Greece. Both of them claimed the city and it was decided that the one
that could give the finest gift should have it. Leading a procession of
citizens, the two gods mounted the Acropolis. Poseidon struck the side of
the cliff with his trident and a spring welled up. The people marveled, but
the water was as salty as Poseidon's sea and it was not very useful.
Athena's gift was an olive tree, which was better because it gave the
people food, oil and wood. Athena named her city Athens.
Athena's companion was the goddess of victory, Nike, and her usual attribute is
the owl. Athena possessed the Aegis.
Aegis
by Micha F. Lindemans
A protective device that was originally associated with Zeus, but also, and
later solely, with Athena. It is variously considered to be a bright-edged
thundercloud (because when Zeus used it lightning flashed and thunder
sounded) fashioned by Hephaestus, or the skin of the divine goat
Amaltheia. It is represented as a sort of cloak, sometimes covered with
scales and fringed with serpents, and with the head of Medusa fastened
in the middle. The Aegis could also serve as a shield and in that fashion
Athena wears it upon her breastplate.
NIKE (or Nicé) was the winged goddess or spirit (daimon) of victory, both in battle
and peaceful competition. When Zeus was gathering allies at the start of the Titan
War, Styx brought her four children, Nike (Victory), Zelos (Rivalry), Kratos
(Strength) and Bia (Force) into the service of the god. Nike was appointed his
charioteer, and all four were appointed as sentinels standing beside the throne of the
god. Beyond this Nike never acquired any distinctive mythology of her own.
Nike was depicted in ancient Greek vase painting with a variety of attributes
including a wreath or sash to crown a victor, an oinochoe and phiale (bowl and cup)
for libations, a thymiaterion (incense burner), an altar, and a lyre for the celebration
of victory in song.
In scenes of the Gigantomachia (War of the Giants) she often appears driving the
chariot of Zeus. In mosaic art and coins Nike isoften shown holding a palm branch as
a symbol of victory.
Nike was closely identified with the goddess Athena, sometimes appearing merely as
an attribute of the goddess. Sometimes the goddess was pluralised into Nikai.