In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, courage, and justice. She was born from the head of her father Zeus, fully grown and dressed in armor.
In this retelling of the myth, we will explore the story of Athena’s birth.
Zeus’s first wife was the Oceanid Metis, and after they married, Metis became pregnant quickly.
According to a prophecy circulating at that time, though, the child she would bear would grow up to be a severe threat to Zeus and all he held dear just as he had been to his father Cronus.
So as soon as Metis revealed her pregnancy to him, out of fear for his kingdom, Zeus turned her into a fly and swallowed Metis.
After some time had passed, Zeus began to feel a great pain in his head and asked the Gods’ smith Hephaestus to help him.
Hephaestus did as he was told and opened Zeus’ head with an axe without harming him.
Immediately, the goddess Athena sprang out of Zeus’ head, fully grown and armed with armor, shield, and cries for battle!
From the first moment the goddess Athena came into the world, she won the heart of Zeus and became his favorite child.
However, because she never received a mother’s care, she inevitably possessed more masculine than feminine attributes.
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Link will appear as Birth of Athena: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, October 31, 2022