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The

INTRODUCTION TO

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Goddess Athena

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Athena, goddess of wisdom. Though Hercules had an enemy, Hera, on Mount Olympus, he also had a friend. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and military victory, and also the patron of the city of Athens, was Hercules' half-sister. Her parents were Zeus and Metis, a nymph.

She was fierce and brave in battle; however, she only took part in wars that defended the state and home from outside enemies. She was the patron of the city, handcraft, and agriculture. She invented the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute, the pot, the rake, the plow, the yoke, the ship, and the chariot. She was the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. She was Zeus' favourite child and was allowed to use his weapons including his thunderbolt.

Roman equivalent‎: ‎Minerva‎

Symbol‎: ‎Owls‎, ‎olive trees‎, ‎snakes‎, ‎Aegis‎, ‎armor‎, ‎helmets‎, ‎spears‎, ‎Gorgoneion‎

Parents‎: ‎Metis‎ and ‎Zeus‎; Zeus‎

Abode‎: ‎Mount Olympus‎