Athena

**Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.**

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** I am Athena,the patron goddess of Athens and the greek goddess of wisdom. My Roman name is Minerva, and my name in Greek is Athina. My symbol is the owl, but I am also known for giving the humans the olive tree. Apparently,I am Zeus' favorite daughter, and I could //defintetely// see why. I mean, who isn't amazed by my wisdom? Exactly. Nobody. **

The Naming of Athens **I have had many adventures, but one of my favorites is when my uncle Posiedon and I had a little contest for the people of ancient Athens. Both of us liked that certain city in Greece very much and we each claimed it at the same time. I couldn't think of a way to duke it out, and he couldn't either, but we finally agreed on a competition. We each gave a gift to the humans so they could decide who would be the patron god or goddess of their city. Posiedon thrust his trident in a rock and a saltwater spring burst from it. The villagers were amazed, but they didn't have much of a use for the spring, because it was saltwater, and they could not drink from it. Then I gave gave the people of Athens my gift. I presnted the people an olive tree, as a symbol of peace and prosperity. Obviously, the Greek chose my gift, and they named their city after me, as Athens.** ** My "Different" Birth ** **﻿My father Zeus ﻿at the time had a wife named Metis,** **who** **was about to give birth. Zeus, who was paranoid** **that Metis'** **baby could be the man to overthrow him**  **in the future,** **swallowed Metis whole, to stop her**  **from giving birth.** **Soonafter, Zeus started to have**  **//terrible// headaches and it****was said because Metis was**  **making my armor and the hammering**  **greatly hurt Zeus in the head. He then ordered Hephaestus,** **the midwife, to slice his head off with an axe. I, completely** **armored, popped from Zeus' head, as a fully grown woman.**

I do like this band! They are honoring owls in such a creative way. media type="youtube" key="ukgvTE3A0Ic" height="349" width="560"

The humans must adore me!

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The Apple of Discord A long time ago, Peleus and Thetis had their much remembered wedding, but they did not invite the goddess of discord, Eris. Eris was outraged and threw a golden apple at the ground. According to Eris, the apple belonged to the most beautiful of the wedding invitees. Hera, Aphrodite, and I all reached for the apple for we all thought we were the fairest. We called upon Zeus to decide for us but he could not choose, and asked Paris, Prince of Troy, the most beautiful man in the world, to judge the dispute. Hera bribed him power, I promised him wealth, and Aphrodite swore to him the most beautiful woman in the world. Since Paris thought Aphrodite promised him the best offer, he chose her to take the golden apple, and set off immediately for Helen of Sparta to capture and take her for his wife. They came back to Troy, got married, and Helen of Sparta became Helen of Troy.

Don't you just love owls?

//Athena-statue-02//. Digital image. //Greek Myths & Greek Mythology//. Web. 19 July 2011. [].

"Goddess Athena, Ancient Greek Goddess Athena." //Greek Myths - Greek Mythology//. Web. 19 July 2011. [].

Tuccinardi, Ryan. "Athena." //Encyclopedia Mythica: Mythology, Folklore, and Religion.// 3 Mar. 1997. Web. 19 July 2011. <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/athena.html>. "History of the Trojan War." //Stanford University//. Web. 21 July 2011. [].

"Bird of the Week: The Killer Owls of Durham County | The Northern Myth." //Crikey Blogs//. Web. 21 July 2011. [].

By: Lucy D. H.