Original translation of this text was prepared by members of the Coptic Gnostic Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate School. The Coptic Gnostic Library Project was funded by UNESCO, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other Institutions. E. J. Brill has asserted copyright on texts published by the Coptic Gnostic Library Project.

The latest interpretation shown here has been modified, changed and formatted to be used regarding the Gnostic Society Library. For academic ticket, delight relate to wrote versions of the text message.

Greek Goddess out of Wisdom and War

Athena try a good Greek deity also known as one another Pallas and you may Athene. In ancient greek mythology, they often associated this lady with one another warfare and you may insights as well as the handicraft, bravery, inspiration, culture, legislation and you may fairness, strategic warfare, math, electricity, approach, new arts, and you can experience.

She including offers a couple of things in keeping which have Minerva away from Roman myths. Many make reference to this lady while the a protector otherwise good patron from significant metropolitan areas like Athens.

She is identified very especially for their proper skill for the warfare that will be have a tendency to depicted because the mate away Equestrian dating site from heroes that will be the fresh patron deity out of heroic efforts.

Athena was born of Zeus after he knowledgeable a massive nightmare and she sprang fully grown plus in armour out of their temple.

She’s zero mother however, perhaps one of the most aren’t cited tales would be the fact Zeus place that have Metis, the brand new deity of tricky envision and you can skills, then swallowed the woman entire as he dreaded she will provide birth so you’re able to a child more powerful than him on account of a good prophecy – but she had currently conceived.

Etymology

Students believe that the woman term comes from the city off Athens. Legend claims one to she is actually the best choice out-of Athenai. This was a team of women who then followed and you can worshiped the lady.

There clearly was some argument on if the citizens named Athens in honor of the girl or if she obtained her term after the city already existed. Of a lot believe that she earned the woman term because the she existed and you can led in Athens.

As early as 407 BC, Plato mentioned this lady name and you can advertised one someone else observed the girl owed to the girl expertise and you may studies. He further said that the girl title came from the latest Greek phrase Athenoa, that may mean moon and you may environment otherwise heavens.

Early Origins

In lieu of other Greek goddesses and you may gods, i don’t have normally recognized regarding the very early lifetime of Athena. Very early tablets called the Linear B tablets speak about the lady label and reference this lady since the Ladies from Athens. Specific translate phrases about Linear A tablet to indicate Athena regarding Zeus since she try the newest child off Zeus.

There are even multiple fresco bits that demonstrate her since a beneficial warrior. In a single, she holds a buffer in her hand along with a couple of women nearby.

Another reveals a lady condition before numerous rows of women. Specific accept that this part illustrates a special or very early version of the warrior deity. Historians and additionally discover specific very early artwork that shows Athena since the an owl, which could describe why the woman is sporadically entitled a beneficial bird deity.

Patronage

Even when perhaps not an excellent patron saint, Athena is actually a great goddess. Recognized for ages just like the a war goddess, she assisted prepare boys with the assaulting in the future and offered them towards called for systems and you can offers.

She are unlike other gods and you can goddesses out of ancient greek language tales just who thought something is well worth a fight. Deity Athena considered that people is simply go to battle once the a past lodge and only if they fought to have a good or simply cause.

During the later years, scholars associated the girl with each other Hestia and you may Artemis. They also known this lady given that Parthenos, and thus virgin. Of a lot today accept that the name of your Parthenon is inspired by the word familiar with define the woman virginity. People picked it title to prize new intimate modesty she got. It thought that this lady virginity flat just how some other ladies.