Athena
by CTCWeb Editors
Athena and Her Representations
Athena is a goddess of war, of government and of craftsmanship. Often when an author refers to the works of a skilled carpenter or loom weaver, he refers to the arts as Athena’s. Students should investigate the many faces of Athena, looking closely at her role as a founder of the judiciary process, a representative of Athenian government, her warrior persona and her association with craftsmanship. Below are some examples of texts, vase and sculpture in which Athena is involved in her representative acts.
This list should be added to and expanded as necessary.
As a Representative of Government and the Judiciary System of Athens
Athens, Acropolis 1333 - Athena clasps the hand of Hera, the patron goddess of the Samians, as the Athenians bestowed citizenship and other rights on the Samians in thanks for their loyalty following the battle at Aigospotami in 405.
9.4.6 The Parthenon - This Historical Overview topic card discusses Athenian as the provider of economic health to the Athenians.
Aeschylus Eumenides line 629, 674 - Athena passes down an ordinance that the people of Athens should try all criminals in the manner she has demonstrated. Aeschylus Eumenides line 881 - Athena assures Furies that they will not be cast out of Athens but worshipped as its protectors.
Herodotus 1.60.5 - The tyrant, Pisistratus, dresses a maiden like Athena and rides a chariot into the city professing that the goddess has chosen him to rule. The Athenian people accept this.
As a Representative of War
Dewing 1134, Dewing 1594 - on each of these coins Athena is wearing her warrior helmet.
Boston 63.473, Munich 2648, Worcester 1966.63 - Athena appears in her warriors garb.
Philadelphia MS4834 - Athena arms herself.
Athens, Acropolis 1333, Athens, Acropolis 695, Aegina West Pediment 2 - Athena appears in her warriors garb.
Apollodorus 3.3.2 - Athena promises Paris victory in war if he chooses her to be the prettiest.
Apollodorus 3.12.3 - Athena practices the arts of war with Pallas.
Homer Iliad Book 2.450 - Athena puts courage into the bodies of the Greeks and in the heart of each man “war became sweeter than to return in their hollow ships to their dear native land.” Homer Iliad Book 4.439 - Athena urges the warriors into battle. Homer Iliad Book 5.733 - Athena arms herself for war, removing her richly embroidered robes to dawn her father’s armor.
Homer Iliad Book 8.384 - Athena arms herself for war, removing her richly embroidered robes to dawn her father’s armor. Homer Iliad Book 15.410 - “But as the carpenter’s line maketh straight a ship’s timber in the hands of a cunning workman, that is well skilled in all manner of craft by the promptings of Athena.”
Pausanias 4.30.4 - According to Pausanias, Homer portrays Athena as the goddess of war in his hymns.
As a Representative of Craftsmanship
Hesiod Theogony 575 - Athena adorns Pandora in a beautifully embroidered veil.
Hesiod Works and Days 63 - At the creation of Pandora, Athena teaches her needlework and the weaving of the varied web.
Hesiod Works and Days 432 - One of “Athena’s” handyman has fixes a plow.
Homer Iliad Book 5.60 - Pallas Athena loved Harmon’s son above all men and gave him the hands to create and build.
Homer Iliad Book 5.733 - Athena arms herself for war, removing her richly embroidered robes to dawn her father’s armor.
Homer Iliad Book 8.384 - Athena arms herself for war, removing her richly embroidered robes to dawn her father’s armor.
Homer Iliad Book 15.410 - “But as the carpenter’s line maketh straight a ship’s timber in the hands of a cunning workman, that is well skilled in all manner of craft by the promptings of Athena.”
Homer Odyssey Book 2.115 - Athena has endowed Penelope superior skill in handiwork.
Homer Odyssey Book 6.232 - Homer speaks of a cunning workman whom Hephaestus and Athena have taught skills in building.
Homer Odyssey Book 7.10.7 Phaeacian are cunning workers at the loom because Athena has given the skills of handiwork.
Homer Odyssey Book 8.491 - Epeius with Athena’s help made the Trojan horse.
Homer Odyssey Book 13.288 - “Athena, smiled, and stroked him with her hand, andchanged herself to the form of a woman, comely and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork.”
1. How can craftsmanship be compared to war?
2. Why is it important that Athena appears to Odysseus as a woman tall and gifted in handiwork?
3. Compare the armor of Athena to the armor of a Greek hoplite. How are they similar?
4. Does Athena rage out of control in war like Ares does?
5. Beside being the patron goddess of Athens, what other reason does Aeschylus have for attributing the creation of the law courts to Athena?
