2007-01-07 14:23:42 · 19 answers · asked by a_lara0304 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Pallas Athena (or Athene) is the Greek goddess of war.
While Ares presided over offensive war (that is, the attackers), Athena presided over defensive war (the defenders). Nike (or Victory) was always at her side, so no one --not even Ares could defeat her.
She was suppose to have sprung from the head of Zeus when he got a big headache, and asked his son (Hephaus, I think) to take an axe and split open his head. (Being a god, of course, it didn't kill Zeus, but instead let out Athena, who sprang full-grown and fully-armed and armored from his head.)
Athena was in a contest with Posideon to determine who would get a city named after them. Whoever produced the most useful gift to the people would win. Posideon's contribution was a beautiful white horse. Athena's choice was the olive tree. There was so many uses for olives that the people declared her the winner. Thus, the city was named Athens.
One story about her was when a weaver named Arachne challenged Athena to a weaving contest. Athena accepted. Athena's piece depicted the foolish things mortals did, while Arachne dared to show the foolish stuff the gods and goddesses did. Needless to say, Athena was not amused. She destroyed Arachne's weaving, then struck the girl on the head. Arachne was so full of shame for what she did, she hung herself. But Athena took pity on her, and allowed her to live. However, the girl had to remain hanging for all time. Thus, Athena changed Arachne into a spider, and the rope into silk. The scientific name for spiders comes from Arachne.
I hope this helps.
2007-01-07 14:36:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ATHENA - GODDESS OF WAR
Athena, war goddess of the ancient Greeks, was also known as Pallas. According to mythology, Athena was the favorite daughter of Zeus. She was said to have been born directly from the minds of the gods, fully grown and clothed in armor. The goddess was often shown wearing a helmet and carrying a spear and shield. Athena was very different from the war god Ares (Mars). She represented the civilized and intellectual side of war - she was not so much a fighter as a prudent and wise advisor.
2007-01-07 22:33:37 · answer #2 · answered by Rode|ette ۩ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a goddess of war, because war and battle were seen as purely masculine activities. However, the Greek goddess Eris and the Roman/Latin goddess Discordia are both considered to be the Goddess of Discord, which is as close as I could find to a war goddess.
2007-01-07 22:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mystique6583 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athena was the "Olympian" goddess most associated with warfare. She was also, among other things, the goddess of wise counsel, the defense of towns, and heroic endeavor.
Athena promoted the internal prosperity of the state, but she also protected the state from foreign enemies. She, however, represents war in a very different sense from Ares, Eris, or Enyo.
According to Homer, she does not even bear arms, but borrows them from Zeus; she keeps men from slaughter when prudence demands it and repels Ares's savage love of war, and conquers him.
Athena, unlike Ares, doesn't love war for its own sake, but simply due to the advantages which the state gains in engaging in it. She therefore supports only such warlike undertakings that are begun with prudence and are likely to be followed with victory.
Athena is also the protector of all heroes who are distinguished for prudence and good counsel, as well as for their strength and valor, such as Heracles, Perseus, Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus. Athena usually appears in art and literature in armor, with the aegis and a golden staff.
2007-01-07 22:55:35 · answer #4 · answered by Nico Pulcher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are the ones that come to mind
Agasaya- Semitic
Anahita- Persian
Anath- Semitic
Andraste- Celtic
Ankt- Egypt
Anouke- Egypt
Ashtart- Babylonia
Athena- Greece
Badb- Celtic
Bellona- Rome
Enyo- Greece
Eshara- Chaldean
Inanna- Sumer
Korrawi- Tamil
Menhit- Egypt
Minerva- Rome
Morrigan- Celtic
Nanaja- Sumer
Neith- Egypt
Sakhmet- Egypt
Zroya- Slavonic
2007-01-07 22:43:32 · answer #5 · answered by vaughndhume 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The goddess of war is named muhammad.
2007-01-07 22:27:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athena is the virgin goddess of war as well as wisdom. Born of Zeus and Metis, who was swallowed by Zeus for fear that she would give birth to a son who would dethrone him. Athena was born form Zeus' head fully grown and clothed in armor. She became his favorite child and staunchest ally.
2007-01-07 23:00:34 · answer #7 · answered by Teresa S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athena
2007-01-07 22:34:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athena
2007-01-07 22:25:46 · answer #9 · answered by The Anti-Pink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athena
2007-01-07 22:24:55 · answer #10 · answered by SomePoet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋