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 off Understanding and War
Athena is actually an excellent Greek deity called each other Pallas and you can Athene. Within the ancient greek language myths, they frequently related this lady having one another warfare and you may understanding also due to the fact handicraft, courage, motivation, civilization, legislation and you can justice, proper warfare, math, strength, method, the latest arts, and you may ability.
She including shares a couple of things in keeping that have Minerva out of Roman myths. Of a lot consider the girl as the a protector otherwise good patron off major places eg Athens.
She is recognized most specifically for the woman proper skills inside warfare and is have a tendency to illustrated since mate out-of heroes that will be the new patron goddess regarding courageous attempts.
Athena came to be from Zeus once the guy knowledgeable a massive horror and she popped fully grown plus in armor out-of his forehead.
She has no mom however, perhaps one of the most commonly cited reports is the fact Zeus set which have Metis, this new goddess of smart believe and facts, immediately after which swallowed the lady entire when he dreadful she’s going to give delivery so you can a kid more powerful than your due to an excellent prophecy – but she got currently created.
Etymology
Scholars believe that the lady identity arises from the town out of Athens. Legend claims you to she was the best choice away from Athenai. It was a group of ladies who followed and you can worshiped the woman.
You will find particular discussion concerning whether or not the customers entitled Athens in honor of the girl or if she acquired their label shortly after the city already existed. Of numerous believe that she generated their term as the she stayed and you may contributed in Athens.
Since 407 BC, Plato mentioned this lady title and you may said that other people used the woman due in order to their insights and you will education. The guy next reported you to definitely the woman term originated in the latest Greek phrase Athenoa, that can mean moon and you can earth otherwise air.
Very early Roots
In the place of most other Greek goddesses and you may gods, i don’t have as often understood concerning early longevity of Athena. Very early pills called the Linear B pills explore the lady term and you will consider this lady given that Women of Athens. Particular translate phrases from the Linear A capsule to help you suggest Athena from Zeus as she was the brand new child out-of Zeus.
There are even several fresco pieces that demonstrate the lady as a great warrior. In one, she holds a shield within her hands with a few female close.
The other suggests a lady position before several rows of women. Some believe that this piece depicts another type of otherwise very early adaptation of your own warrior deity. Historians together with located some very early artwork that presents Athena given that an owl, which could determine as to the reasons the woman is sporadically titled a bird goddess.
Patronage
Regardless if maybe not an excellent patron saint, Athena was a deity. Known for ages because the a war goddess, she helped prepare yourself men into the fighting ahead and you will considering them to the needed systems and provides.
She try rather than most other gods and you can goddesses out-of ancient greek language stories just who think some thing are worth a combat. Goddess Athena considered that some one would be to simply head to battle as a history resort and simply when they fought to possess a noble or maybe just cause.
Within the advancing years, students associated the lady which have both Hestia and you may Artemis. However they referred to the girl due to the fact Parthenos, meaning that virgin. Of a lot today believe that title of Parthenon comes from the term always explain the girl virginity. Residents chosen which title to help you honor the intimate modesty she had. They considered that their virginity smooth just how to many other girls.