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 Deity away from Expertise and you will Combat
Athena is a good Greek deity also known as one another Pallas and you will Athene. In the ancient greek language mythology, they frequently relevant the lady that have both warfare and you may knowledge too because handicraft, bravery, determination, civilization, laws and fairness, strategic warfare, math, electricity, means, the brand new arts, and you will skill.
She in addition to shares a few things in common having Minerva off Roman myths. Of a lot refer to their since a protector or good patron out of significant metropolises such as for instance Athens.
The woman is recognized most especially for this lady proper ability within the warfare which is commonly portrayed once the partner off heroes and that’s the fresh patron goddess off courageous endeavour.
Athena came into this world of Zeus once the guy knowledgeable a big headache and you may she jumped fully grown and in armour of his forehead.
This lady has no mother but probably one of the most commonly cited tales would be the fact Zeus put that have Metis, the brand new deity of smart imagine and you will understanding, after which ingested the girl entire when he feared she will render beginning to a child more powerful than your due to a beneficial prophecy – however, she got already formulated.
Etymology
Scholars believe that this lady name is inspired by the metropolis from Athens. Legend says you to definitely she try the leader out of Athenai. It was a small grouping of women who followed and you can worshiped this lady.
There is some debate as to whether the citizens called Athens in honor of her or if perhaps she acquired her label immediately following the town currently existed. Of several accept that she generated the woman name because the she resided and you can added during the Athens.
As soon as 407 BC, Plato mentioned her term and you will advertised one someone else adopted the girl due in order to the woman skills and you may degree. He then claimed you to their label originated the newest Greek keyword Athenoa, which can suggest moon and planet otherwise sky.
Early Sources
As opposed to other Greek goddesses and you can gods, i don’t have as often recognized regarding early lifetime of Athena. Early tablets known as Linear B pills talk about the lady label and refer to the lady due to the fact Women regarding Athens. Some change phrases throughout the Linear A pill to help you imply Athena of Zeus because she was the newest child off Zeus.
There are also several fresco parts that show this lady while the a beneficial warrior. In a single, she retains a shield within her give and with two girls close.
Others suggests a lady standing in front of numerous rows of women. Some accept that this part portrays an alternate otherwise very early variation of your warrior deity. Historians as well as located some very early graphic that presents Athena because the an owl, that may describe why she is sometimes titled a good bird deity.
Patronage
Even in the event perhaps not an excellent patron saint, Athena is an excellent goddess. Known for years as the a combat deity, she helped get ready boys to your fighting in the future and you may given her or him towards the needed systems and you may provides.
She are unlike other gods and you can goddesses away from ancient greek language stories which think something is value a fight. Goddess Athena considered that some one is simply see conflict once the a last resort and just when they battled having a noble or simply just end in.
Inside later years, students associated this lady with one another Hestia and Artemis. They also known the lady due to the fact Parthenos, meaning that virgin. Of a lot now accept that the name of one’s Parthenon originates from the phrase used to identify the lady virginity. Citizens chosen that it name so you’re able to award new intimate modesty she had. It thought that this lady virginity flat just how for other lady.