Original translation of this text was prepared by members of the Coptic Gnostic Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate School. The Coptic Gnostic Library Project was funded by UNESCO, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other Institutions. E. J. Brill has asserted copyright on texts published by the Coptic Gnostic Library Project.
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Greek Goddess from Knowledge and you will Combat
Athena are a good Greek deity also known as each other Pallas and you can Athene. From inside the ancient greek mythology, they often times related this lady having one another warfare and you may information as well given that handicraft, courage, motivation, culture, law and you may fairness, proper warfare, math, energy, approach, the new arts, and you will skill.
She also offers two things in keeping having Minerva out-of Roman myths. Many consider the lady because a guard or a great patron of biggest towns instance Athens.
The woman is known really especially for their strategic expertise during the warfare and that’s tend to illustrated once the mate from heroes which will be new patron goddess out of courageous attempts.
Athena was given birth to away from Zeus immediately after the guy knowledgeable a large nightmare and you may she sprang fully grown along with armor out-of his forehead.
She has zero mommy but one of the most are not quoted stories would be the fact Zeus set with Metis, the newest goddess regarding tricky think and you will facts, after which ingested the woman entire when he dreaded she’s going to give delivery so you’re able to children stronger than your on account of a great prophecy – however, she got already conceived.
Etymology
Scholars believe that the lady name comes from the town out of Athens. Legend states you to she is the first choice out of Athenai. It was a group of women who used and you may worshiped this lady.
There’s certain debate on whether or not the residents entitled Athens in honor of their or if she acquired her name after the town currently stayed. Of numerous accept that she generated the woman term while the she resided and you may contributed inside the Athens.
Around 407 BC, Plato said the girl label and you may advertised you to definitely someone else then followed the lady due so you’re able to this lady skills and you may training. He after that claimed that this lady identity came from the brand new Greek keyword Athenoa, that can imply moon and environment otherwise air.
Very early Sources
In place of most other Greek goddesses and gods, there isn’t as often recognized regarding early lifetime of Athena. Very early tablets called the Linear B pills talk about the lady title and you can relate to the woman because the Girls from Athens. Certain translate phrases regarding the Linear A capsule so you can indicate Athena out-of Zeus as the she was the fresh new daughter out of Zeus.
There are even several fresco pieces that demonstrate this lady as the a great warrior. In a single, she retains a barrier inside her hands sufficient reason for two female close.
The other suggests a female position before numerous rows of females. Certain believe that it portion illustrates a unique otherwise early type of your own warrior goddess. Historians in addition to discover specific early artwork that presents Athena since the a keen owl, which might determine as to the reasons she is from time to time named a good bird goddess.
Patronage
No matter if maybe not a good patron saint, Athena was an effective deity. Known for decades as the a conflict goddess, she assisted prepare boys on assaulting ahead and you will considering her or him for the requisite products and you will supplies.
She is actually instead of other gods and you can goddesses of ancient greek language reports which imagine one thing try worthy of a combat. Goddess Athena considered that anyone is to just see battle given sugar baby Columbus GA that a last lodge and only when they fought to have a good or simply just end up in.
Within the senior years, students relevant the girl that have one another Hestia and you will Artemis. Nevertheless they regarded the woman once the Parthenos, which means that virgin. Of numerous now believe that the name of Parthenon comes from the term used to identify her virginity. Owners picked this label so you can award the fresh intimate modesty she got. It thought that the girl virginity paved the way some other women.