Female Characteristics Of Athena

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The Greek goddess Athena is usually portrayed as one of the strongest gods in Olympia. As Greek civilization shapes gods that represent their desired identity, representing the god of war and the immortal spirit of wisdom, Athena is the goddess of the balance between intelligence and power. Through Athena 's existence, she embodies victory and judgment, while her influences on other gods and mortals demonstrate the power of intellect and civilization. By fusing characteristics of multiple gods to one body. In most depictions of Athena 's birth, she was given birth from Zeus 's holy head, "arrayed in her armor of war, all-gleaming in gold, and every one of the immortals was gripped with awe as they watched" CITATION. In birth she is a symbol …show more content…

As in an ideal society, a society has to have both men and women to build a strong civilization. With the identity of a "virgin goddess", Athena shows the desire of a civilization to be "untouched", elegant and perfection. Through the characteristics of both genders, she earns her respect and honor among other gods and mortals. As wars were fought by men, Athena resembles the god of war and justice as she prefers to see most from a manly point of view. Apart from the male characteristic that favors the power of Greek civilization, Athena also has female characteristics that express the balance of both genders. Athena 's motherly qualities also increase her support from others. From the temples, she has generosity towards humanity resembling the strong motherly figure. Although she is a virgin goddess, Athena uses this towards her warrior character and does not become emotionally or personally attached. Athena is a figure mixed with virtue and compassion. But she also carries a motherly characteristic that shows in the story of the goddess and …show more content…

Through the aid of Athena, the desired wisdom that Athena embodies is shown. Some of the mortals Athena chooses to aid are Odysseus, Athens and Telemachus. Where Odysseus tried return to Ithaca after his long journey in the Odyssey and Telemachus on his journey for kleos. As most myths, people describe Athena as "gray-eyed" or "flashing-eyed" and she appears in front of Telemachus to set him on a journey to seek his father and earn kleos as all Greek heroes. Without meeting Athena, Telemachus might be just another character and not a Greek hero. Through Odysseus, Athena was also the intellectual behind the Trojan horse in the Odyssey. The horse is an example of Athena 's cleverness that saved Athens and led to their victory in the war. During the war, Athena had the Greeks build the horse that she would send to the Trojans. The Trojans believed that they were victorious as they believed the Greeks have abandoned the war and the horse is their trophy of victory. As the horse entered Troy, the Greek sieges the city. Athena also aids Odysseus to leave Calypso when he was abandoned on the island with Calypso. As Athena realizing Odysseus 's pain, she demanded Zeus to release Odysseus from Calypso 's grasp. After twelve years Odysseus finally reunites with his son and wife, whom believed he was

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