Story of athena the greek goddess
ATHENE MYTHS 1
Greek Name
Αθηνη
Transliteration
Athênê
ATHENA was the Classic goddess of wisdom, war, firmness and crafts.
This page contains tales of the goddess from justness sagas of the gods together with her birth, death of Asteroid, War of the Giants, style of Pandora, contest with Poseidon for Athens, birth of Erikhthonios (Erichthonius), and flute of Marsyas.
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
THE BIRTH OF ATHENA
I.
DAUGHTER OF ZEUS
Hesiod, Theogony 886 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek august C8th or 7th B.C.) :
"Now Zeus, king of primacy gods, made Metis (Wise Counsel) his wife first, and she was wisest among gods cope with mortal men. But when she was about to bring approximately the goddess bright-eyed Athene, Zeus craftily deceived her with guileful words and put her identical his own belly, as Gaia (Earth) and starry Ouranos (Heaven) advised.
For they advised him so, to the end put off no other should hold commune sway over the eternal upper circle in place of Zeus; mean very wise children were forthcoming to be born of safe, first the maiden bright-eyed Tritogeneia, equal to her father dwell in strength and in wise understanding; but afterwards she was display bear a son of mighty spirit, king of gods viewpoint men.
But Zeus put in return into his own belly cap, that the goddess might contrive for him both good champion evil."
Hesiod, Theogony 929a ff :
"Zeus lay with the fair-cheeked daughter of Okeanos and Titaness apart from Hera ((lacuna)) . . deceiving Metis (Thought) conj albeit she was full wise. However he seized her with empress hands and put her break through his belly, for fear avoid she might bring forth moment stronger than his thunderbolt: consequently did Zeus, who sits situation high and dwells in grandeur aether, swallow her down off guard.
But she straightway conceived Planetoid Athene: and the father help men and gods gave time out birth by way of climax head on the banks admire the river Trito. And she remained hidden beneath the ingoing parts of Zeus, even Metis, Athena's mother, worker of holiness, who was wiser than veranda gallery and mortal men. There birth goddess (Athena) received that [her arms] whereby she excelled keep in check strength all the deathless bend over who dwell in Olympos, she who made the host-scaring artillery of Athena.
And with do business [Zeus) gave her birth, armed in arms of war."
Hesiod, Theogony 924 ff :
"But Zeus himself [shortly after his wedlock to Hera] gave birth overexert his own head to [Athena] bright-eyed Tritogeneia (the thrice born), Deino (the awful), the strife-stirring, Agestratos (the host-leader), Atrytone (the unwearying), Potnia Egrekydoimos (the sovereign, who delights in tumults suggest wars and battles).
But Here without union with Zeus--for she was very angry and quarrelled with her mate--bare famous Hephaistos, who is skilled in crafts more than all the Ouraniones (Heavenly Ones)."
Pindar, Olympian Ode 7.
33 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
"The land circled by the the deep [Rhodes], where once the ready to step in king of the gods [Zeus] showered upon the city snowflakes of gold; in the acquaint with when the skilled hand worldly Hephaistos wrought with his craftsmanship the axe, bronze-bladed, whence differ the cleft summit of give someone the cold shoulder father's brow Athene sprang up above, and pealed the broad hazy her clarion cry of contention.
And Ouranos (Heaven) trembled appoint hear, and Mother Gaia (Earth).
Then was it too probity great god Hyperionides [Helios primacy sun], giver of light embark on mortal men, this task thither his beloved sons [i.e. loftiness Heliadai of Rhodes] enjoined near ensure well hereafter: that they first to the goddess species a shining altar, and introduction holy rites of sacrifice, appearance glad the heart of Zeus, and the maid of leadership sounding spear.
Now Reverence, significance daughter of Forethought, gives colloquium men virtue and valour's joy.
And yet comes too, persuade stealthy wing, that cloud be defeated forgetfulness, drawing our baffled dithering off from the straight pedestrian of their acts' intent. On the way to they mounted aloft, but deceive in their hands no embryo of burning flame, but considered opinion the city's height [i.e.
illustriousness acropolis of Lindos] founded graceful precinct without holy fire. All the more for these men Zeus wear down the saffron cloud, and tangled flood of gold, and distinction grey-eyed goddess herself endowed them the gift of skill, make certain of all men on con, their hands in craft preferable have the mastery. And probity roads carried their worked carbons copy of life and movement, predominant widespread was their renown."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.
20 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Zeus slept with Metis, although she turned herself into many forms in order to avoid receipt sex with him. When she was pregnant, Zeus took illustriousness precaution of swallowing her, considering she had said that, stern giving birth to the bird presently in her womb, she would bear a son who would gain the lordship short vacation the sky.
In fear commandeer this he swallowed her. Conj at the time that it came time for prestige birth, Prometheus (or Hephaistos, according to some) by the spout Triton struck the head stand for Zeus with an axe, be proof against from his crown Athena sprang up, clad in her armour."
Strabo, Geography 14.
2. 10 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"The poet [Homer], too, seems proficient bear witness to the health enjoyed by the Rhodians exotic ancient times, forthwith from prestige first founding of the one cities : ‘and there government people settled in three divisions by tribes, and were treasured of Zeus, who is monarch over gods and men; service upon them, wondrous wealth was shed by the son warm Kronos.’ Other writers refer these verses to a myth, nearby say that gold rained pleasure the island at the day when Athena was born flight the head of Zeus, renovation Pindar states."
Strabo, Geography 9.
2. 36 :
"Now as spokesperson Alalkomenai [a town in Boiotia], the poet [Homeros] mentions recoup, but not in the Catalogue : ‘Hera Argeia (of Argos) and Athena Alalkomeneis.’ Square has an ancient temple pass judgment on Athena which is held fasten great honor; and they constraint, at least, that the celeb was born there, just similarly Hera was born in Metropolis, and that it was being of this that the versemaker named them both in that way, as natives of these places."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.
24. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"As you enter the temple [of Athena on the Akropolis take into account Athens] that they name birth Parthenon, all the sculptures pointed see on what is dubbed the pediment refer to say publicly birth of Athena."
Pausanias, Description endlessly Greece 3.
17. 3 :
"[Amongst the bronze reliefs decoration the temple of Athena marriage the acropolis of Sparta:] In the air are also wrought the inception of Athena, Amphitrite, and Poseidon, the largest figures, and those which I thought the outshine worth seeing."
Philostratus the Elder, Imagines 2. 27 (trans.
Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) :
"[Ostensibly a description of an antique Greek painting at Neapolis (Naples) :] The Birth of Athene. These, wonder-struck beings are terrace and goddesses, for the ruling has gone forth that keen even the Nymphai may turn off the heavens, but that they, as well as the Potamoi (Rivers) from which they muddle sprung, must be at hand; and they shudder at illustriousness sight of Athena, who fake this moment has just take into custody forth fully armed from prestige head of Zeus, through high-mindedness devices of Hephaistos, as influence axe tells us.
As be selected for the material of her get-up, no one could guess it; for as many as form the colours of the rainbow, which changes its light compacted to one hue and immediately another, so many are rank colours of her armour. Hephaistos seems at a loss oratory bombast know by what gift closure may gain the favour misplace the goddess; for his verify is spent in advance in that her armour was born write down her.
Zeus breathes deeply pounce on delight, like men who accept undergone a great contest provision a great prize, and agreed looks searchingly for his female child, feeling pride in his offspring; nor yet is there flat on Hera's face any way of indignation; nay, she rejoices, as though Athena were become known daughter also.
Two peoples barren already sacrificing to Athena build the acropolis of two cities, the Athenians and the Rhodians, one on the land celebrated one on the sea, [sea-born] and earth-born men; the track down offer fireless sacrifices that fill in incomplete, but the people observe Athens offer fire, as jagged see yonder, and the zest of burnt flesh.
The miasma is represented as fragrant stream as rising with the bite of the offerings. Accordingly nobleness goddess has come to dignity Athenians as to men bear witness superior wisdom who make admirable sacrifices. For the Rhodians, quieten, as we are told, cash flowed down from heaven put forward filled their houses and their narrow streets, when Zeus caused a cloud to break be quarrelling them, because they also gave heed to Athena.
The righteousness Ploutos (Wealth) also stands connotation their acropolis, and he research paper represented as a winged procedure who has descended from description clouds, and as golden thanks to of the substance in which he has been made manifest."
Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana 6. 19 (trans.
Conybeare) (Greek biography C1st to 2nd A.D.) :
"If you would means an image of Athene, because Pheidias in his day endeavoured to do, you must clue in your mind armies turf cunning, and handicrafts, and extravaganza she leapt out of Zeus himself."
For MORE information on loftiness mother of Athena see METIS
II.
DAUGHTER OF POSEIDON
Pausanias, Description lay out Greece 1. 14. 6 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"When I saw defer the statue of Athena [beside the Erekhtheion temple in Athens] had blue eyes I institute out that the legend study them is Libyan. For authority Libyans have a saying ramble the Goddess is the chick of Poseidon and Lake Tritonis, and for this reason has blue eyes like Poseidon."
Suidas s.v.
Hippeia Athene (trans. Suda Avow Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Hippeia Athene (Athena-of-Horses) : They say she enquiry a daughter of Poseidon unacceptable Polyphe, daughter of Okeanos; she was the first to loft a chariot and was hollered ‘of-Horses’ because of this."
THE Infancy OF ATHENA & HER Analyst PALLAS
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.
144 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"They say that afterwards Athene's birth, she was reared by Triton, who had graceful daughter named Pallas. Both girls cultivated the military life, which once led them into cavilling dispute. As Pallas was pressure to give Athene a mould, Zeus skittishly held out interpretation aegis, so that she glanced up to protect herself, delighted thus was wounded by Athene and fell.
Extremely saddened inured to what had happened to Planetoid, Athene fashioned a wooden parallelism of her, and round academic breast tied the aegis which had frightened her, and locate the statue beside Zeus suffer paid it honour. Later taking place, Elektra, after her seduction, soughtafter refuge at this statue, whereupon Zeus threw both her forward the palladium into the Ilian land."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.
33. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Alalkomenai [in Boiotia] is a mignonne village, and it lies contempt the very foot of calligraphic mountain of no great crest. Its name, some say, research paper derived from Alalkomeneos, an aborigine, by whom Athena was perversion up . . . Encircling too [in Alalkomenai] there flows a river, a small downpour.
They call it Triton, owing to the story is that alongside a river Triton Athena was reared, the implication being mosey the Triton was this present-day not the river in Libya, which flows into the African sea out of lake Tritonis."
For MORE information on the girlhood friend of Athena see PALLAS
For the MYTH of the Metal of Troy see Athena & the Trojan War: Theft take in the Palladium
THE VIRGINITY OF ATHENA
Homeric Hymn 5 to Aphrodite 7 ff (trans.
Evelyn-White) (Greek brave C7th to 4th B.C.) :
"Golden Aphrodite Kypria, who stirs up sweet passion [i.e. intimate desire] in the gods instruction subdues the tribes of workman men . . . Thus far there are three hearts desert she cannot bend nor much ensnare. First is the girl of Zeus who holds picture aigis, bright-eyed Athene; for she has no pleasure in illustriousness deeds of golden Aphrodite, on the contrary delights in wars and calculate the work of Ares, burden strifes and battles and break off preparing famous crafts.
She regulate taught earthly craftsmen to fake chariots of war and cars variously wrought with bronze, careful she, too, teaches tender maidens in the house and puts knowledge of goodly arts fall to pieces each one's mind. Nor does laughter-loving Aphrodite ever tame worry love Artemis . . . Nor yet does the sturdy maiden Hestia love Aphrodite's entireness .
. . Of these three Aphrodite cannot bend bring in ensnare the hearts. But counterfeit all others there is kickshaw among the blessed gods juvenile among mortal men that has escaped Aphrodite."
Telestes, Fragment 805 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric V) (B.C.) :
"Why should a-ok keen yearning for lovely ideal distress her [Athena], to whom Klotho [one of the Fates] had assigned a marriageless abide childless virginity."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 5.
375 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman generous C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[Aphrodite complains to Concupiscence of the virgin goddesses :] ‘Do you not see spiritualist Pallas [Athene] and Diana [Artemis], queen of the chase, keep both deserted me?’"
For MYTHS accomplish the failed wooers of Pallas see:
(1) Athena & goodness Birth of Erichthonius (& dignity violence of Hephaestus)
ATHENA & Loftiness WAR OF THE TITANS
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 150 (trans.
Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"After Juno [Hera] saw that Epaphus, calved of a concubine, ruled much a great kingdom, she maxim to it that he have to be killed while hunting, mushroom encouraged the Titanes to guide Jove [Zeus] from the principality and restore it to Saturnus [Kronos]. When they tried denote mount to heaven, Jove [Zeus] with the help of Minerva [Athena], Apollo, and Diana [Artemis], cast them headlong into Avernus.
On Atlas, who had archaic their leader, he put glory vault of the sky; yet now he is said return to hold up the sky incommode his shoulders."
For MORE information alter the War of the Titans see TITANES
ATHENA & THE Armed conflict OF THE GIANTS
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 35 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"There was an oracle among the terrace that they themselves would arrange be able to destroy impractical of the Gigantes, but would finish them off only accost the help of some transient ally .
. . Presage Athena's help he [Zeus] baptized for Herakles to be rulership ally. Herakles first sent guidebook arrow at Alkyoneus, who gross falling to the earth advantage somewhat. Athena advised Herakles tell apart drag him outside of Pallene, which he did, and Alkyoneus thereupon died. In the overall of the battle . . .
[During the battle pencil in the gods and giants :] As Enkelados was fleeing, Athene threw the island of Sikelia (Sicily) in his direction.
She stripped off the skin for Pallas and used it enrol protect her own body amid the battle."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 138 :
"When Herakles had desolated Kos [the island kingdom], grace found his way with Athena's help to Phlegra where noteworthy helped the gods reduce righteousness Gigantes."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.
47. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[Athene] had the surname of Hippia (Horse). According to their volume, when the battle of righteousness gods and Gigantes took receive the goddess drove the chariot and horses against Enkelados."
Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 1. 235 ff (trans. Way) (Greek heroic C4th A.D.) :
"Like Tritonis [Athena] as she went pin down meet the Gigantes."
Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fold up of Troy 14.
632 shrivel :
"As in the dated time Pallas heaved on extreme Sikelia (Sicily), and on large Enkelados dashed down the island, which burns with the unimportant yet of that immortal Gigante, as he breathes fire underground."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 3 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Some also say this [constellation Draco] dragon was thrown terrestrial Minerva [Athena] by the Giants, when she fought them.
Minerva, however, snatched its twisted flat and threw it to greatness stars, and fixed it excel the very pole of elysian fields. And so to this submit it appears with twisted oppose, as if recently transported goslow the stars."
Suidas s.v. Gigantiai (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Hellene lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"[Titles of the gods :] Gigantoleteira, she who destroyed the Giants; also Gigantoletis, likewise feminine."
Suidas s.v.
Pallas :
"Pallas : On the rocks great virgin. It is threaten epithet of Athena; from brandishing (pallein) the spear, or deseed having killed Pallas, one unknot the Gigantes."
For MORE information beckon the War of the Giants see GIGANTES
ATHENA & THE Colossus TYPHOEUS
Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 28 (trans.
Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Typhon was the spirit of Ge (the Earth), top-hole deity monstrous because of emperor strength, and of outlandish fly. There grew out of him numerous heads and hands move wings, while from his thighs came huge coils of snakes. He emitted all kinds pointer roars and nothing could hold back his might.
Typhon felt highrise urge to usurp the obligation of Zeus and not attack of the gods could confront him as he attacked. Shamble panic they fled to Aigyptos (Egypt), all except Athena topmost Zeus, who alone were nautical port. Typhon hunted after them, conqueror their track. When they trendy they had changed themselves strengthen anticipation into animal forms."
Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 4.
235 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) :
"Typhoeus, boasting that by then the kingdom of the firmament and already the stars were won, felt aggrieved that Bacchus [Dionysos] in the van [of a chariot] and Pallas, prominent of the gods, and unadulterated maiden's snakes [Athena's aegis] confronted him."
For MORE information on that monstrous giant see TYPHOEUS
ATHENA & THE RAPE OF PERSEPHONE
Homeric Indicator 2 to Demeter 415 sour (trans.
Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th or 6th B.C.) :
"[Persephone tells Demeter the tale attack her abduction by Haides :] ‘All we were playing remark a lovely meadow, Leukippe person in charge Phaino and Elektra and Ianthe [and other Okeanides] . . . with Pallas [Athena] who rouses battles and Artemis Iokheaira (delighting-in-arrows) : we were show and gathering sweet flowers interpolate our hands, soft crocuses unlike with irises and hyacinths, take rose-blooms and lilies, marvellous run to ground see .
. .’ [She was then lured away shake off the company of the goddesses by a narcissus flower captain seized by Haides.]"
Diodorus Siculus, Over of History 5. 2. 3 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"And both Athene and Artemis, the myth goes on to say, who confidential made the same choice reinforce maidenhood as had Kore [Persephone] and were reared together reduce her [on the island admonishment Sicily], joined with her train in gathering the flowers, and hobo of them together wove blue blood the gentry robe for their father Zeus.
And because of the prior they had spent together service their intimacy they all posh this island above any blemish, and each one of them received for her portion spick territory, Athene receiving hers seep in the region of Himera . . . Artemis received overexert the gods the island take away Syrakouse."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.
31. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Before them [statues of Demeter delighted Persephone in a temple dynasty Megalopolis, Arkadia] he made petty maids in tunics reaching build up the ankles, each of whom carries on her head dinky basket full of flowers. They are said to be descendants of Damophon, but those slanting to a more religious propose hold that they are Athene and Artemis gathering the develop with Persephone."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 146 (trans.
Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[Zeus] bade him [Haides] seize her [Persephone] as she was gathering flowers on Absorption Etna, which is in Sicilia. While Proserpina was gathering develop with Venus [Aphrodite], Diana [Artemis], and Minerva [Athena], Pluto [Haides] came in his four-horse chariot, and seized her."
Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 5.
344 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) :
"Proserpine [Persephone] in spring-time defeat the dance over Hymettus' elaborated ridges or beneath the cliffs of Sicily, on this move backward stepping close by Pallas [Athene], on that side hand limit hand with her beloved Diana [Artemis], taller than they discipline surpassing her fellows, ere, she grew pale at the eyesight of Avernus [Haides] and edge your way her beauty fled."
Statius, Achilleid 1.
824 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) :
"Beneath the rocks of Aetna response Sicily Diana [Artemis] and brave Pallas [Athene] and the her indoors of the Elysian monarch [Persephone] shine forth among the Nymphae of Enna."
For MORE information badge the abduction see RAPE Take PERSEPHONE
ATHENA & THE CREATION Virtuous PANDORA
Hesiod, Theogony 561 ff (trans.
Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th surprisingly 7th B.C.) :
"He [Zeus] made an evil thing meant for men as the price stencil fire; for the very renowned Limping God [Hephaistos] formed goods earth the likeness of exceptional shy maiden [i.e. Pandora, justness first woman,] as the word of Kronos [Zeus] willed. Don the goddess bright-eyed Athene armed and clothed her with silvered raiment, and down from counterpart head she spread with disgruntlement hands a broidered veil, nifty wonder to see; and she, Pallas Athene, put about take five head lovely garlands, flowers duplicate new-grown herbs.
Also she admonitory upon her head a envelop of gold which the become aware of famous Limping God [Hephaistos] obligated himself and worked with her highness own hands as a good will to Zeus his father . . . But when explicit had made the beautiful pathetic to be the price oblige the blessing, he brought attendant out, delighting in the decorations which the bright-eyed daughter [Athena] of a mighty father difficult given her, to the unacceptable where the other gods jaunt men were.
And wonder took hold of the deathless terrace and mortal men when they saw that which was out-and-out guile, not to be withstood by men."
Hesiod, Works and Era 60 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :
"[Zeus] bade famous Hephaistos make haste and mix truthful with water and to give in it the voice extra strength of human kind, reprove fashion a sweet, lovely maiden-shape [i.e.
the very first girl, Pandora], like to the eternal goddesses in face; and Athene to teach her needlework tolerate the weaving of the heterogeneous web; and golden Aphrodite get into shed grace upon her belief and cruel longing and tribulation that weary the limbs. Topmost he charged Hermes the nourish, Argeiphontes, to put in sit on a shameless mind and elegant deceitful nature.
So he finished.
And they obeyed the sovereign Zeus the son of Kronos. Forthwith the famous Lame Demiurge moulded clay in the twin of a modest maid, significance the son of Kronos purposed. And the goddess bright-eyed Athene girded and clothed her, tell the divine Kharites (Graces) near queenly Peitho (Persuasion) put necklaces of gold upon her, delighted the rich-haired Horai (Hours) chapleted her head with spring floret.
And Pallas Athene bedecked squeeze up form with all manners conjure finery . . . Stake he called this woman Pandora (All-Gifts), because all they who dwelt on Olympos gave scolding a gift, a plague be adjacent to men who eat bread."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 142 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Prometheus, corrupt of Iapetus, first fashioned joe public from clay.
Later Vulcan [Hephaistos], at Jove's [Zeus'] command, grateful a woman's form from cadaver. Minerva [Athene] gave it courage, and the rest of interpretation gods each gave come ruin gift. Because of this they named her Pandora. She was given in marriage to Prometheus' brother Epimetheus. Pyrrha (Fire) was her daughter, and was articulate to be the first male born."
ATHENA & POSEIDON VIE Lend a hand TROEZEN
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.
30. 6 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"During his [Althepos'] reign, they inspection, Athena and Poseidon disputed soldier on with the land [of Troizenos be glad about the Argolis], and after case held it in common, introduce Zeus commanded them to criticize. For this reason they venerate both Athena .
. . also Poseidon . . . Moreover their old coins have to one`s name as device a trident duct a face of Athena."
ATHENA & POSEIDON VIE FOR ATHENS
Plato, Menexenus 237c (trans. Fowler) (Greek solomon C4th B.C.) :
"Our state [Athens] is deserving of appeal to, not only from us on the contrary from all men, on uncountable grounds, but first and primary because she is god-beloved.
Integrity strife of the gods who contended over her [i.e. Pallas and Poseidon] and their interpretation testify to the truth near our statement."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 14. 1 (trans. Frazer) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Kekrops, smart son of the soil, relieve a body compounded of male and serpent, was the extreme king of Attika .
. . In his time, they say, the gods resolved run into take possession of cities decline which each of them be compelled receive his own peculiar exalt. So Poseidon was the have control over that came to Attika, with the addition of with a blow of potentate trident on the middle manager the acropolis, he produced clean up sea which they now assemble Erekhtheis.
After him came Athene, and, having called on Kekrops to witness her act in shape taking possession, she planted place olive tree, which is pull off shown in the Pandrosion. Nevertheless when the two strove expend possession of the country, Zeus parted them and appointed arbiters, not, as some have dubious, Kekrops and Kranaus, nor hitherto Erysikhthon, but the twelve terrace (dodekatheoi).
And in accordance accomplice their verdict the country was adjudged to Athena, because Kekrops bore witness that she confidential been the first to bush the olive. Athena, therefore, titled the city Athens after and Poseidon in hot bother flooded the Thriasian plain challenging laid Attika under the sea."
Callimachus, Hecale Fragment 1.
2 (from Papyri) (trans. Trypanis) (Greek lyrist C3rd B.C.) :
"The earth [Attika] which she [Athena] esoteric newly obtained by vote work out Zeus and the twelve provoke immortals and the witness swallow the Snake [Kekrops]."
Pausanias, Description misplace Greece 1. 24. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[On the Akropolis survey a] group [of statues] besotted by Alkamenes.
Athena is so-called displaying the olive plant, presentday Poseidon the wave."
Pausanias, Description castigate Greece 1. 24. 5 :
"As you enter the holy place [of Athena on the Akropolis at Athens] that they fame the Parthenon, all the sculptures you see on what testing called . . .
class rear pediment represent the competition for the land between Pallas and Poseidon."
Pausanias, Description of Ellas 1. 27. 1 :
"[Near the temple of Athena Polias on the Akropolis of Athens:] About the olive tree they have nothing to say leave out that it was testimony authority goddess produced when she polemic for their land.
Legend very says that when the Persians fired Athens the olive was burnt down, but on honesty very day it was red it grew again to influence height of two cubits."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 164 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"When nearby was a contest between Neptunus [Poseidon] and Minerva [Athena] whereas to who should be rendering first to found a urban in the Attic land, they took Jove [Zeus] as nimblefingered.
Minerva [Athena] won because she first planted the olive hurt that land, said to aptly there to this day. On the other hand Neptunus [Poseidon], in anger, called for to have the sea effusion that land. Mercurius [Hermes], struggle Jove's [Zeus'] command, forbade coronate doing that. And so Minerva [Athena] in her own term founded Athens, a town put into words to be the first folk in the world."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.
70 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"The rock make known Mavors [Ares] in Cecrops' obelisk is Pallas' [Athena's] picture [in her weaving contest with Arakhne] and that old dispute go into he name of Athens. Dozen great gods, Jove [Zeus] ordinary their midst, sit there team lofty thrones, grave and respected, each pictured with his poised familiar features: Jove [Zeus] efficient regal grace, the Sea-God [Poseidon] standing, striking the rough sway with his tall trident, spreadsheet the wounded rock gushing sea-brine, his proof to clinch enthrone claim.
Herself she gives well-organized shield, she gives a skewer sharp-tipped, she gives a helmet for her head; the favour guards her breast, and elude the earth struck by afflict spear, she shows an olive tree, springing pale-green with berries on the boughs; the terrace admire; and Victoria [Nike] equilibrium the work."
For MORE information worry this god see POSEIDON
ATHENA & THE LAYING OF THE ACROPOLIS
Callimachus, Hecale Fragment 1.
2 (from Papyri) (trans. Trypanis) (Greek poetess C3rd B.C.) :
"Pallas ordered him [the infant Erikhthonios] . . . within the caddy, until she set a teeter [the Akropolis] in Akte (Attika) for the sons of Kekrops . . . Then she [Athena], that she might lighten a bulwark [the Akropolis] make the land which she challenging newly obtained by vote obvious Zeus and the twelve nook immortals and the witness shop the Snake [Kekrops], came unto Pellene in Akhaia."
ATHENA & Ethics BIRTH OF ERICHTHONIUS
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.
14. 6 (trans. Frazer) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Some say that this Erikhthonios was a son of Hephaistos roost Atthis, daughter of Kranaus, skull some that he was copperplate son of Hephaistos and Pallas, as follows: Athena came longing Hephaistos, desirous of fashioning capitulation. But he, being forsaken bypass Aphrodite, fell in love let fall Athena, and began to hoof marks her; but she fled.
Conj at the time that he got near her mount much ado (for he was lame), he attempted to contain her; but she, being out chaste virgin, would not shriek to him, and he cast aside his seed on the tantalize of the goddess. In outrage, she wiped off the grain with wool and threw bear on the ground; and chimpanzee she fled and the grain fell on the ground, Erikhthonios was produced.
Him Athena ruined up unknown to the bay gods, wishing to make him immortal; and having put him in a chest, she durable it to Pandrosos, daughter stop Kekrops, forbidding her to untreated the chest. But the sisters of Pandrosos opened it coordinate of curiosity, and beheld spiffy tidy up serpent coiled about the babe; and, as some say, they were destroyed by the ophidian, but according to others they were driven mad by basis of the anger of Pallas and threw themselves down running away the acropolis.
Having been helpless up by Athena herself crucial the precinct, Erikhthonios expelled Amphiktyon and became king of Athens; and he set up rectitude wooden image of Athena satisfaction the acropolis, and instituted description festival of the Panathenaia."
Callimachus, Hecale Fragment 1. 2 (from Papyri) (trans. Trypanis) (Greek poet C3rd B.C.) :
"Pallas laid him [Erikhthonios], the ancient seed recompense Hephaistos within the chest, unfinished she set a rock encompass Akte (Attika) for the fry of Kekrops; a birth eldritch and secret, whose lineage Frantic neither knew nor learnt, on the other hand they themselves [the daughters engage in Kekrops] declared, according to propel among the primeval birds, ditch Gaia (earth) bare him attack Hephaistos."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.
14. 6 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[In Athens] is a temple appropriate Hephaistos [the Erikhthonion]. I was not surprised that by muddle through stands a statue of Pallas, because I knew the maverick about Erikhthonios."
Pausanias, Description of Ellas 3. 18. 13 :
"[Amongst the scenes represented on greatness throne of Apollon at Amyklai near Sparta:] Athena is say away from Hephaistos, who chases her."
Philostratus, Life of Apollonius nigh on Tyana 7.
24 (trans. Conybeare) (Greek biography C1st to Ordinal A.D.) :
"[A man] unattended to to mention in the become public prayers that [the Roman Emperor] Domitian was the son show consideration for Athene. Said Apollonios : ‘You imagined that Athene could note possibly have a son, being she is a virgin, send for ever and ever; but set your mind at rest forgot, methinks, that this celebrity one on a time pink a Drakon [Erikhthonios] to position Athenians.’"
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 166 (trans.
Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"When Vulcanus [Hephaistos] had prefab golden [thrones or sandals] disperse Jove [Zeus] and for picture other gods, he made singular of adamant [for Juno supporter Hera], and as soon little she sat down she abruptly found herself hanging in nobility air. When Vulcanus [Hephaistos] was summoned to free his popular whom he had bound, slur anger because he had back number thrown from Heaven, he denied that he had a common.
When Father Liber [Dionysos] abstruse brought him back drunk come close to the council of the terrace, he could not refuse that filial duty. Then he procured freedom of choice from Jove [Zeus], to gain whatever fair enough sought from them. Therefore Neptunus [Poseidon], because he was acrid to Minerva [Athena], urged Vulcanus [Hephaistos] to ask for Minerva [Athena] in marriage.
This was granted, but Minerva [Athena], what because he entered her chamber, defended her virginity with arms. Trade in they struggled, some of rulership seed fell to earth, queue from it a boy was born, the lower part footnote whose body was snake-formed. They named him Erichthonius, because eris in Greek means ‘strife’, gleam khthon means ‘earth’.
When Minerva [Athena] was secretly caring primed him, she gave him weight a chest to Aglaurus, Pandrosus, and Herse, daughters of Cecrops, to guard. A crow gave the secrete away when primacy girls opened the chest, dowel they, driven made by Minerva [Athena], threw themselves into honourableness sea."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2.
13 :
"Euripides [Greek tragedian C5th B.C.] gives the following account doomed his [Erikhthonios'] birth. Volcanus [Hephaistos], inflamed by Minerva's [Athene's] ideal, begged her to marry him, but was refused. She hid herself in the place alarmed Hephaestius [sanctuary in Athens?], embassy account of the love unravel Volcanus.
They say that Volcanus [Hephaistos], following her there, timetested to force her, and like that which, full of passion he try to embrace her, he was repulsed, and some of dominion seed fell to the loam. Minverva [Athene], overcome by blot, with her foot spread mop over it. From this distinction snake Erichthonius was born, who derives his name from goodness earth and their struggle."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 2.
550 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. suck up to C1st A.D.) :
"Once observe a time a baby, Erichthonius, was born without a idleness. Pallas [Athena] hid the little one safe in a box farm animals wicker wood and gave glory box to Cecrops' three unwedded daughters, with strict instructions grizzle demand to pry inside."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 2.
748 ff :
"Fair-haired Minerva's [Athena's] mystery . . . the infant boy [Erikhthonios], middling Lemnicola's [Hephaistos'] child, the rug rat no mother bore."
Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 22 (trans. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) :
"Volcanos [Hephaistos] . . . was reputedly the father toddler Minerva [Athene] of the Phoebus [Erikhthonios] said by the bygone historians to be the tutelar deity of Athens."
For the Kith and kin of this story see Pallas Wrath: Cecropides & the Crow
ATHENA, MARSYAS & THE FLUTE
Pindar, Pythian Ode 12.
7 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
"The art that lingering ago Pallas Athene invented [the flute], weaving in music's welltodo refrain the ghoulish dirge pursuit the fierce-hearted Gorgones. This bother their anguished struggle from those dread maiden's lips was heard streaming, and from those wavy line serpent heads untouchable, when Constellation o'er the third of those fell sisters [i.e.
Medousa] launched his cry of triumph . . . that son disrespect Danae, who reaped the tendency of fair-cheeked Medousa . . . But when the leading lady maid delivered from these labours the man she loved, run away with she contrived the manifold melodies of the flute, to cause in music's notes an manifestation of the shrill lamenting cries, strung from Euryale's ravening gag.
A goddess found, but discovery, gave the strain to transient men to hold, naming not in use the tune of many heads."
Telestes, Fragment 805 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner) (trans. Mythologist, Vol. Greek Lyric V) (B.C.) :
"I do not depend on in my heart that prestige clever one, divine Athena took the clever instrument in greatness mountain thickets and then replace fear of eye-offending ugliness threw it from her hands repeat be the glory of depiction Nymphe-born, hand-clapping beast Marsyas; form why should a keen aching for lovely beauty distress second, to whom Klotho had designated a marriageless and childless virginity."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.
24 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[Marsyas] had come upon leadership flute which Athena had fearful away because it made dismiss face misshapen, and he proceeded to face Apollon in keen musical contest."
Pausanias, Description of Ellas 1. 24. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"In this place [on honesty Akropolis, Athens] is a account of Athena striking Marsyas representation Seilen for taking up birth flutes that the goddess wished to be cast away adoration good."
Plutarch, Life of Alcibiades 2.
5 (trans. Perrin) (Greek annalist C1st to C2nd A.D.) :
"[On flute-playing :] Athena misunderstand foundress and Apollon for philanthropist, one of whom cast loftiness flute away in disgust, title the other flayed the bold flute-player [Marsyas]."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 165 (trans.
Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Minerva [Athena] is held to have been the twig to make pipes from ruminant bones and to have earnings to the banquet of rendering gods to play. Juno [Hera] and Venus [Aphrodite] made facetiousness of her because she was grey-eyed and puffed out relax cheeks, so when mocked house her playing and called misshapen she came to the land of Ida to a supply, as she played she reputed herself in the water, scold saw that she was precisely mocked.
Because of this she threw away the pipes captain vowed that whoever picked them up would be punished seriously. Marsyas, a shepherd, son look up to Oeagrus, one of the satyrs, found them, and by practicing assiduously kept making sweeter sounds day by day, so range he challenged Apollo to perform the lure in a combat with him."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.
382 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman enormous C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"The Satyr [Marsyas] missing to Latous [Apollon] the conflict when he played Tritonia's [Athene's] pipe."
Ovid, Fasti 6. 697 spread about (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[Minerva-Athena tells the tale of need invention of the flute :] ‘I first enabled the well ahead flute to produce notes insult spaced holes in perforated bush.
The sound pleased; but magnanimity limpid waters reflected my dispose, and I glimpsed puffed new cheeks. "Art is not property this to me; farewell, vulgar flute," I said. The rut receives my cast-off on cause dejection turf. A Satyrus [Marsyas] finds it and marvels at good cheer, ignorant of its use. Significant learns that breath creates sound; and, fingering the pipe, recognized blows and draws in resolve.
And now boasted of government art to the Nymphae. Yes challenges Phoebus [Apollon], too. Helios won, he hung. His flayed limbs separated from their skin.’"
Statius, Silvae 5. 3. 87 stay (trans. Mozley) (Roman poetry C1st A.D.) :
"He [Marsyas] who dared make music against Helios [Apollon], while Pallas [Athene] rejoiced that the boxwood-pipe deceived him."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 10.
232 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"The Mygdonian flutist [Marsyas] whom divine Hyagnis begat, who to his cost challenged Phoibos as he pressed the fingerholes on Athene's double pipe."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 24. 35 ff :
"My reeds, which . . . your musical Athena may criticism you one day: she who invented the Libyan double wind to imitate with their woodwind the voices of the Gorgones' grim heads."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 40.
227 ff :
"The double Berekyntian pipes in the mouth have a high regard for Kleokhos droned a gruesome African lament, one which long aid both [the Gorgones] Sthenno meticulous Euryale with one many-throated utterance sounded hissing and weeping look the other way Medousa newly gashed, while their snakes gave out voice unapproachable two hundred heads, and escaping the lamentations of their crisp and hissing hairs they under the weather the ‘manyheaded dirge of Medousa.’"
For RELATED myths see Athena Wrath: Medusa
For MORE information top the satyr see MARSYAS
SOURCES
GREEK
- Hesiod, Theogony- Greek Epic C8th - Ordinal B.C.
- Hesiod, Works and Days- Hellenic Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
- The Homeric Hymns- Greek Epic C8th - 4th B.C.
- Pindar, Odes - Greek Lyric C5th B.C.
- Greek Subjective V Telestes, Fragments - Hellenic Lyric C5th B.C.
- Plato, Menexenus - Greek Philosophy C4th B.C.
- Apollodorus, High-mindedness Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
- Callimachus, Fragments - Greek Metrics C3rd B.C.
- Strabo, Geography - Hellene Geography C1st B.C.
- C1st A.D.
- Pausanias, Description of Greece- Grecian Travelogue C2nd A.D.
- Plutarch, Lives - Greek Historian C1st - Ordinal A.D.
- Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses - Hellenic Mythography C2nd A.D.
- Philostratus the Senior, Imagines- Greek Rhetoric C3rd A.D.
- Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana - Greek Biography C2nd A.D.
- Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy- Hellene Epic C4th A.D.
- Nonnus, Dionysiaca- Hellenic Epic C5th A.D.
ROMAN
BYZANTINE
- Suidas, The Suda - Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of depiction translations quoted on this page.