Our Goddess today is probably the third one most people think of when they think of Goddesses (after Aphrodite and Isis).  She has been given so many names that she brings my current count to 74!

Athena is the Greek Goddess of wisdom, justice, and war. She is the daughter of Zeus and Metis, another Goddess of wisdom. When he found out that Metis was pregnant, Zeus, fearing that she would bear a son who would be mightier than him, swallowed her. Metis fashioned a robe and helmet for the daughter she would soon have, and the hammering of the helmet caused Zeus great headaches. To ease his father’s pain, Hephaestus split his skull open with his mighty ax, and Athena emerged, fully grown and wearing the robe and helmet her mother had made. Zeus was astounded by this beautiful daughter, and she immediately became his favorite.

Athena is one of the primary Goddesses of the Greek pantheon. She is the patron Goddess of the city of Athens, and is often represented by an owl. Through her wisdom, she developed many inventions to make life easier for her worshippers, including the bridle, chariot, and plow. Her warrior aspect is that of protrectress, guarding the well-being of her followers.

She was known by many names, each associated with a different aspect: Athena Ergane (Goddess of crafts), Athena Promachos (leader of battle), Athena Polias (of the city), Athena Parthenos (the virgin), Athena Atrytone (the unwearying), Athena Glaukopis (bright-eyed), Athena Tritogeneia (thrice-born), Athena Hippeia (inventor of the chariot), Athena Hygieia (the healer), Athena Halea (of the sea), Athena Nikiforos (bringer of victory), and Athena Mechantis (doer of deeds).

Other epithets include Acraea, Aethyia, Ageleia, Agoraea, Alalcomeneis, Alcimache, Alcis, Alea, Amublia, Anemotis, Apaturia, Areia, Asia, Assesia, Axiopoenos, Boulaia, Budeia, Chalinitis, Chryse, Cleidouchos, Colocasia, Coryphasia, Cydonia, Hellotia, Hippolatis, Iasonia, Itonia, Laosos, Laphria, Larissaea, Lindia, Longatos, Magarsia, Munychia, Narcaea, Nedusia, Onca, Ophthalmitis, Optiletis, Oxydercis, Paeonia, Pallas, Pallenis, Panachaea, Pareia, Phrygia, Poliuchos, Polyboulos, Pronaea, Pylaitis, Saitis, Salpinx, Sciras, Soteira, Telchinia, Xenia, and Zosteria.