Athena
by CTCWeb Editors
Associated Rituals
An important part of the nature of a god or goddess may be discerned from the rituals performed for the favor of that god or goddess. Students should look at the rituals performed in favor of Athena. Students will also want to look at where the rituals are performed, who performs the rituals and whether the societies that include these rituals in their religious practices worship only Athena or Athena along with other gods and goddesses.
Below are some archaeological and textual examples of ritual sacrifices to Athena and rituals that are part of the festivals for Athena.
Textual
Historical Overview, 9.4.6 The Parthenon-An olive tree regarded as the sacred symbol of Athena who the Athenians believed provided for the economic health of Athens. Historical Overview, 9.4.6.c the Parthenon’s Sculpture- The Parthenon Frieze depicts the Panathenaic procession of Athenian citizens. A special robe woven by Athenian girls is presented to the goddess in her olive grove. Historical Overview, 9.4.7 The significance of the Parthenon Frieze-Look at images associated with this topic card. Historical Overview, 10.1.5 Occasions for Sacrifice and Festival-The religious aspects of the Panathenaic festival were coupled with parades, music, dancing, poetry and athletic competitions. Valuable prizes were awarded to the winners.
Athens, Site Description - As a function of Peisistratos instituting “the festival and games of the Great Panathenaia” transformational construction on the Acropolis began.
Aeschylus Eumenides 288 -The invocation of the goddess to come to Orestes’ aid. Aeschylus Eumenides 398 - The chiefs of the Achaeans assigned land and a great portion of the spoils they had won as thanks to the goddess.
Andocides, Speech 1: On the Mysteries, 1.28 (note 2) - Another explanation of the Panathenaic festival including which day it began on every year.
Apollodorus 3.14.6 - Erichthonius set up a wooden image of Athena on the acropolis “and instituted the festival of the Panathenaea.”
Euripides, Heraclidae, lines 777-783 and Note - This passage and the note for the passage describe the great sacrifice of the Panathenaia that occurred at the end of the month.
Herodotus 4.180.1-3 - The Machlyes and the Auseans celebrate yearly a festival of Athena. Maidens fight each other with stones and sticks honoring their native goddess who the Greeks. Herodotus 4.189.1 - Herodotus claims that the robe and aegis of Athena were copied by the Greeks from the Libyans. He goes on to describe the dress of the Lybian women as that similar to Athena’s and to say that the chant of the Lybian women is the original chant associated with the festival of Athena.
Homer Iliad Book 11.729-737 The Greeks sacrifice a heifer to Athena before going into battle. Homer Odyssey Book 3.144 - Men offer hecatombs to Athena to appease her wrath.
Isocrates, Speech 12.17 (note 1) - The note explains the difference between the Panathenaia and the Great Panathenaia that the Athenians celebrated every four years.
Pausanias 1.27.3 - The two maidens, “Bearers of the Sacred Offerings,” who weave the Panathenaic robe live not far from the temple of Athena Polias.
Plutarch Theseus 24 - Plutarch tells how some believed the Panathenaic festival to have been instituted by Theseus.
Archaeological
Parthenon Frieze - Panathenaic procession is depicted as part of the festival of the same name celebrated each year on Athena's birthday.
