CMLT316 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Hubris, Panathenaic Amphora, Panathenaic Games
3 Jun 2018
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CH 8: Athena
The Birth of Athena
● Zeus swallowed Metis (‘wisdom’) after he had made her pregnant bc he feared that she
would bear a son who would overthrow him
● Athena was born from the holy head of Zeus
● Hephaestus with his ax may have facilitated the birth
● Athena sprang forth fully grown, a young woman in full armor
● Announced her arrival with a war cry
Characteristics of Athena
● Her essential character
○ Her divine wisdom
○ The special bond of affection between father and daughter
○ Her championship of heroes and male causes, born as she was from the male
● Dread goddess of war
● Remained a virgin
Appearance of Athena
● Athena bears an aloof kind of loveliness, akin to the beauty of youthful masculinity
● She is associated with the owl and snake
● Usually represented with helmet, spear, and shield or aegis that bore a depiction of the
head of Medusa
● Female winged figure called Nike, bearing a crown or garland of success
The Contest Between Athena and Poseidon
● Athena and Poseidon vied for control of Athens and its surrounding territory, Attica
● Contest took place on the Acropolis
● Poseidon struck the rock with his trident and produced a salt spring or a horse
● Athena brought forth an olive tree from the ground by the touch of her spear and was
declared the victor
○ The olive was fundamental to Athenian economy and life
● Poseidon was appeased and continued to be worshiped in Athens
The Panathenaea or Panathenaic Festival
● Annual festival celebrating the birthday of Athena
● Every fourth year the celebration was special
● Important in the ceremonies were sacrifices and games
● Prizes for winners in the games were special Panathenaic amphora - vases inscribed
and decorated with a depiction of Athena containing a scared olive oil
● Athenians carrying sacred implements, leading sacrificial animals, with chariots or on
horseback, figured in the procession
The Parthenon and Its Sculpture
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Document Summary
Zeus swallowed metis ( wisdom") after he had made her pregnant bc he feared that she would bear a son who would overthrow him. Athena was born from the holy head of zeus. Hephaestus with his ax may have facilitated the birth. Athena sprang forth fully grown, a young woman in full armor. Announced her arrival with a war cry. The special bond of affection between father and daughter. Her championship of heroes and male causes, born as she was from the male. Athena bears an aloof kind of loveliness, akin to the beauty of youthful masculinity. She is associated with the owl and snake. Usually represented with helmet, spear, and shield or aegis that bore a depiction of the head of medusa. Female winged figure called nike, bearing a crown or garland of success. Athena and poseidon vied for control of athens and its surrounding territory, attica.
