Goddess of the Month

WHO IS ATHENE? Athene is first and foremost the Matron Goddess of Athens, one of the most famous cities of the ancient and modern worlds. She is the divine bringer of wisdom and matroness of many crafts, which the Greeks attributed directly to Her; among these are weaving, metalworking, and pottery, which are most useful skills for anyone to have. She was also called upon by those who fought as defenders of their homes from aggressors. She is one of very few Goddesses ever depicted in any kind of armor or armed. During classical times, Athene was stated by the philosopher Plato as being identical to the Goddess Neith, who was worshipped in North Africa by the Libyans and the Egyptians since before the dynastic period. Athene's first appearance though, is in early Minoan Linear B texts where Her name is Atana Potinija. As Atana, She appears before Her supposed father, Zeus, and She was viewed by the Minoans and Pelasgian Greeks as being of an older generation of Goddesses, born parthenogenetically from Her mother, Metis, Titaness of Wisdom. Of course, this was later perverted by the Dorian Greeks to the familiar story of Zeus swallowing Metis and Athene being born from his head. Some of Her other titles include: Nikê - Victory Eryma - Defender Alalkomenêis - Protectress Polias - Of the City Polioukhos - Protectress of the City Paiônia - Healer Oxyderkês - Sharp Sighted Parthenos - Virgin Gigantoletis - Destroyer of Giants Gorgolaphas - Gorgon-crested Pronoia - Foresight Hippia - Of the Horses Erganê - Worker Glaukopis - Bright Eyed