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The Birth of Athena

Athena was born from Zeus' head fully grown and armed after he had swallowed her mother Metis. She became Zeus' favorite child but lacked a mother's care. Athena taught mankind various skills and protected heroes in war, becoming the patron deity of Athens after defeating Poseidon in a contest. Her symbols included the spear, distaff, aegis shield with Medusa's head, and her sacred animals were owls representing wisdom.

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150 views1 page

The Birth of Athena

Athena was born from Zeus' head fully grown and armed after he had swallowed her mother Metis. She became Zeus' favorite child but lacked a mother's care. Athena taught mankind various skills and protected heroes in war, becoming the patron deity of Athens after defeating Poseidon in a contest. Her symbols included the spear, distaff, aegis shield with Medusa's head, and her sacred animals were owls representing wisdom.

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HannaDanielleAguiero
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According to the legend, Athena was born in the ancient city of Alipheira in southern

6767io opreece.
The Announcement of the Pregnancy
When Zeus married his first wife, the Oceanid Metis, Metis soon became pregnant.
According to a prophecy at that time, Metis would bear a son who would pose a severe
threat to Zeus. So, right after Metis revealed her pregnancy, Zeus swallowed his child
fearfully in order to protect his kingdom.

The Birth of Athena


Nine months passed by and then suddenly Zeus started feeling a strong pain in his
head and asked the Gods' smith Hephaestusto comfort him. Hephaestus obeyed and
opened Zeus' head with an ax without hurting him. All of a sudden, goddess Athena
sprang out of Zeus' head. She was already an adult, wearing armor with a shield in her
hands and uttering warlike cries!
From the first moment goddess Athena came into the world, she won the heart of Zeus
and became his favorite child. However, she never received a mother's care. That's why
she inevitably possessed more masculine than feminine attributes.

The Role of Athena


Athena was the goddess who taught mankind various skills such as weaving and
sewing to the women and agriculture and metallurgy to men. She was always giving
precious advice and stood by on any danger. Athena protected the heroes as they went
out to war and saved them on their coming back.

Athena and the City of Athens


After competing against the Greek god Poseidon, Athena officially became the
patron deity of the city of ancientAthens and the Parthenon was built in her honour. She
was known as "Athena Nike" (Athena the victorious), as she was believed to have given
the Athenians the victory during the Persian War.

Symbols of Athena
Athena's symbols were the spear, the distaf and the aegis (a shield of goatskin),
to which the head of the Gorgon Medusa was fastened in order to terrify the
opponents).
Athena's tree was the olive tree and her sacred animal was the owl, the symbol of
wisdom.
The Roman name of Athena is "Minerva"

By: Angelica Juliana A. Panopio

Grade 5 St. Thomas

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