In my previous posts, I talked about quite a few things. Just to recap, in my first post I wrote about how Athena was born out of Zeus's head! In my second post I talked about how Athena turned Medusa into a horrible monster, because she was so self centered. In my most recent post, I discussed why Athena was the ruler of Athens even if they had an un fair way of treating women. She won the right against Poseidon, in a gift giving contest. This research is important because it tells about ancient Greece and their cultures. athena had a impact on Greece because she spread her wisdom, and inspires people to have wisdom. I have learned that Athena was a wise and powerful goddess, and she influenced people in many ways. She still stands in many statutes today!
My question is; 'why did the people of Athens worship Athena when they had such an unfair way of treating women?' Apparently, Athena won the right to be Athens god. She competed against Poseidon. They were about to go to war for it, but then Athena suggested that they had a competition. Who ever could give the best gift to the people of Athens, would win. Poseidon went first. He plunged his Trident into the ground, and created a body of water known today as the Erekhtheis sea. The people were very happy with this, until they drank the water. It was very salty. Poseidon only controlled the sea.
When it was Athena's turn she was much less dramatic. She planted something in the ground, and out sprung an olive tree. The people then decided that the olive tree was much more useful. Not only could they use the olives to eat, they could use the wood for building, and the oil to power lamps, and to cook. Athena won, and was proclaimed the goddess of Athens. Poseidon was so mad, he turned some of the land into a sea. In the Roman version, he not only did that, but made it so Athens had water shortages, which is actually a problem in modern Greece today! That's the mythology behind it, but people still do not know the answer to the question. My guess is that the thought of the gods as not human, so the were okay with having a strong female goddess. Even though, they did not let woman own their own land, or talk to any man except their husbands, I think they thought Athena didn't count as a female. Click HERE for video. Click HERE for my source. Medusa was once a beautiful woman. But, all day she would boast to everyone about how great she is, and how she was the most beautiful woman in the world. While people worked hard from dawn to dusk, all she did was admire herself and boast. One day, her friends, (she actually had friends?!) took her to the Parthenon, a grand temple that honored Athena. It was her first time in the Parthenon. With every statue or painting she would say quietly, The artist did a good job, but I would look better in the statue or painting. Finally, when she reached the altar she said: "This is a beautiful temple. But, it is a pity it is wasted on Athena for I am much prettier than she is. One day, people will build an even grander temple to worship my beauty." Her friends turned white. The roomer of what she said, spread throughout the temple. And rather quickly, the room emptied. Soon, Medusa was the only one left, admiring herself in a mirror. But in a few seconds, her reflection turned into Athena's.
"Vain and stupid girl," Athena shouted angrily, "You think you are prettier than everyone. While other people are doing important things, you boast about your self. Medusa, there is more to life than beauty." Medusa then pointed out that her beauty could be an inspiration to some people, but Athena, even more angry now, silenced her. "Nonsense," screamed Athena "One day your beauty will be gone. But I will make it go now and all your loveliness will be lost forever!" With those words, Medusa turned into a terrible monster. Her hair turned into snakes, and her body a snake too. "Now anyone who looks in your eyes will turn into stone and nothing can save them," Athena growled, "Even you, Medusa, will turn to rock the moment you see your own eyes." Athena then sent Medusa to live with the blind gorgon sisters, at the end of the earth, so that no random people would be turned to stone at the sight of her. (a fool proof plan!) CLICK HERE TO SEE MY SOURCE! Athena's parents are Zeus and Metis. An oracle told Zeus that his first child would be a girl, but his second child would be a boy, and overthrow him like he did his father. Zeus took this warning very seriously, and had to make a plan if he valued his power. He was clever, and flattered Metis, so she would not be suspicious, but comfortable. At the right moment, he swallowed Metis, and her unborn child. This is the last time you will hear of Metis, but the first time you will hear of Zeus's wisdom. As the years went by, Zeus developed a splitting headache. He soon can not take it, and lets out a cry of agony so loud, the earth rumbles. All the gods come to see what the problem is. Hermes proposes that they physically see what the problem is. They ask Hephaestus to split Zeus’s skull open, which I think is gross. When they split the skull open, out sprang Athena, in a full set of armor. Zeus passed his new wisdom to Athena, and she becomes the goddess of wisdom, intelligence, and battle. Link to my source.
Athena is one of the most powerful goddesses. She is the goddess of wisdom and battle. I chose Athena to do a blog on because she is such a beautiful, wise, interesting goddess, and I think the myths with her in them, are the best. Some of the things that I am eager to learn, are why did the people of Athens worship a goddess when they were so un-fair to women? What is the relationship between Athena and Medusa? And, what side did she take in the Trojan war? I will hopefully be answering all these questions in future posts! So, check back soon! Click for video. That tells of athena's life.
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