Athena: Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War

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                Maku Mei Chan, former IV-Berzelius in Pasig City Science High School portrayed the role of Pallas Athena. Athena was the goddess known for her knowledge, arts, and battle strategies. Just like Artemis,  Athena was also a virgin goddess, meaning, she never had a lover or a companion.

                There are different versions that narrate how Athena was born. According to the Olympian version of the tale in Athena's birth, she was daughter of Metis (Titaness of wisdom and deep thought) and Zeus. When Metis got pregnant with Athena, Zeus became concerned in a prophecy saying that when he had a son with Metis, this son of him could be more powerful than what he was and could eventually vanquish him. Zeus was afraid that it would happen so he decided to trick Metis, turned her into a fly and to swallow her, so that predicted prophecy won't occur. Nevertheless, Zeus was not aware that Metis was already pregnant at that time. On that time Metis was building a helmet and an armor for her unborn child. This caused Zeus to have a headache and when he couldn't bare anymore the pain, he decided to asked Hephaestus to open his head, and from there Athena came out fully grown-up and armed.

Pallas Athena could be also refer to as a "Girl Athena" or "Maiden Athena".  Some also claimed that the word 'Pallas' was from the word 'pallien' (an archaic term for 'brandish), as Athena has a brandishing sphere. Unlike Ares, even though Athena was the goddess of warfare and battles she was not more into brutality and such, she was more on strategies and techniques on how to win a battle. She was also engaged and associated into handicrafts and art.

                Athena was also the guardian deity and patroness of the Greek city of Athens, after competing with Poseidon to have this position. Another myth tells a story that involves Poseidon and Medusa. Back then, Medusa was a beautiful maiden and also was one of the priestess on Athena's temple. Poseidon was so attracted to her and had rape her within the temple. Athena became really mad after seeing it and transformed Medusa to a gorgon and make sure that whoever looked into Medusa's eyes would turn into a stone.

                Others said that she was the favorite daughter of Zeus and was allowed to use his weapon even the thunderbolt. Addition facts about her was owl symbolizes her and Olive trees were hers.

Contributed by: Sherilyn Piñon

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