Athena was one of Greek mythology’s most prestigious names. Not only was she amid the most mighty of the twelve gods of Olympus, but she was also the goddess of arts and crafts, wisdom, law and justice, courage, strategic warfare, civilization, skill, and mathematics (“Athena.” Myths Encyclopedia). Having been born by emerging fully grown and fully clothed from her father Zeus’ head (“Athena.” Myths Encyclopedia), she instantly became his favorite and was clearly destined for greatness. In fact, Athena had an illustrious place of influence in one of the most famous battles in Greek mythology: the Trojan War (“Athena” Encyclopedia Britannica). Throughout her whole presence, she performs the part of a strongly significant heroine who influences the lives of many people.
Athena was the unquestionable individual who shaped Odysseus, an especially extraordinary name when identified with the Trojan War, the hero he was because he used her plans to beat the enemy (Cartwright). The famous battle tactic of constructing a massive horse out of wood to get inside the walls of Troy was the creation of Athena herself, only to be substantially accomplished by Odysseus. In truth, the Greeks told the Trojans that it was, “an offering to Athena and that they should take the horse into their city to get Athena’s protection,” as a way to trick them (“Trojan War.”).
Moreover, she had a distinct appreciation for Odysseus, because she saw own attributes within him and easily changed his fate regularly, helping him on his journey home from the war and shielding him from death and injuries (Basher and Budzik). Most of her actions in the Trojan War were for the opposing side, all for a good reason, thus showing how she actually was a heroine herself. Formerly, the Greeks were struggling with the war, but after using her intelligent methods, they appeared triumphant. Even though Athena is the goddess of war, she can’t actually be seen as absolutely dangerous; her change in comparison to Ares (the male god of war), “derived in part from the fact that she represented the intellectual and civilized side of war and the virtues of justice and skill, whereas Ares represented mere blood lust” (“Athena”. Encyclopedia Britannica.). Also, she only participated in battles that were for revenge against an opposing enemy (“Athena.” Greek Mythology). In those situations, Athena is surely a decent champion who depicts the accuracy of heroism.
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Aside from designing martial strategies, she played a large role in making and developing a lot of everyday details of life for ordinary inhabitants. She was the promoter of sculptors and architects and was the creator of mathematics and numbers (“Athena.” Myths Encyclopedia); these inventions introduced new, large-scale approaches to civility, thus changing and advancing their technologies to give people an easier way to live. Additionally, she gave the idea of yokes, plows, and rakes to farmers, as well as taught them how to use oxen to grow their crops (“Athena.” Myths Encyclopedia).
Likewise, another way in which Athena helped with civilizations’ dilemmas was the revolution of agriculture, which impacted their quality of life by making food cultivation easier and therefore saving people from famine and starvation. She even dabbled in conceiving forms of art to amuse and give a sense of entertainment and enjoyment to the people, such as playing music, weaving, and spinning (she introduced the first musical instrument to the Greeks: the flute) (“Athena.” Myths Encyclopedia). The suggestion of trial by jury also came from Athena, who, being the goddess of civilization, advertised honorable governments and guided kings on what they should do when they had split decisions (“Athena.” Myths Encyclopedia).
These approaches set down the earliest foundations of a justice system which would be used all throughout the course of history to determine the difference between right and wrong. Hence, Athena is a well-rounded person who not only cares for warfare but also for the lives of mundane mortals, improving the old and creating the new. Even though she is more well known for her distinctive power over war, war doesn’t always connote evil and destruction; some are meant to be fought for righteous reasons. In the end, Athena only acts for the good of everyone, and with her new inventions and ideas, Athena has changed the course of humanity all for the better, thus proving that she is truly a good-hearted character.
Athena is often mistaken to be horrible and a villain, but really, she accurately represents a true heroine. She plays huge roles not only in helping heroes escape but also in the everyday lives of the ordinary people. Even to this day, her presence is still thriving; Athena’s symbols and character can be seen on medals, coins, mascots, statues, and even in modern literature (“Athena.” A Voyage with the Gods). People may have stopped worshiping her for hundreds of years, but her subtle existence in plain old everyday objects shows that a true hero never really dies but instead stays alive in one’s thoughts as inspiration for innovation and courage.
