The Role Of Athena And Athena

As the daughter of Zeus, the mightiest Olympian, and Metis, the embodiment of knowledge, it makes sense that the goddess Athena is known as the goddess of strategy and civilization. The role played by Athena in many myths is that of a counselor in times of battle, both internal and external, as well as the protector of cities, and the importance of her level headed and protecting role continues to have an impact on modern society.

Zeus filled with the paranoia that one of his sons would overthrow him and not knowing that Metis was pregnant with Athena, a daughter, ate Metis. Zeus was unaware that Athena continued to grow until he had a splitting headache which could only be relieved by Hephaestus striking Zeus in the head with an axe. This

All elements of the creation of Athena, from her parents to how she physically entered the world, provide reasoning for the domains which Athena controls. Metis, a titan known as the embodiment of knowledge was her mother, thus Athena being the goddess of wisdom, as well as home skills and crafts, is not far-fetched. Wisdom stems from knowledge, and tends to be efficient use of your knowledge to accomplish some set goal. As Metis and Athena both hold female roles, within Greek culture the two would be expected to have knowledge of the home and the maintenance of a home, thus creating Athena’s beyond compare skill in weaving and other home crafts. While Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian gods, provides Athena with her skills in strength and civilization. As the ruler of the Olympians, though he at times acts in a way that does not display order he is the protector of the Olympians as the leader. In the same way Athena has the strength and understanding of civilization that then allows her to become known as the

The roles played by Odysseus in these two myths are not exactly the same and thus the counsel provided by Athena differs as well. During the Trojan War, Odysseus is in a role of leadership where he must command armies and encourage them to battle. Waterfield in his general telling of the Trojan War in The Greek Myths describes Odysseus addressing the “entire assembly, with Athena at his side guiding his thoughts” CITE. Odysseus in his address of the assembly is able to show Athena’s immense strength through wisdom by guiding his words in order to call the soldiers to war. The ability to lead others with a level head and by your knowledge is a valuable skill to this day within our own military. Often times, people do not wish to be led by a hot headed figure that is always ready to attack but rather one that ponders all possibilities as Athena does. Not only does Athena guide people in times of war but she also provides wisdom during times of internal battle. During the Odyssey, specifically Hamilton’s retelling in Mythology, the reader is able to see Athena’s great guidance of Odysseus in his journey back to his family. Not only did Odysseus have to find his way back home, but he also could not simply arrive at his home and Athena understood this in her Olympic wisdom. Athena “arranged matters well for him” CITE, she led a disguised Odysseus to his son, removed the