Hello everyone! Welcome to another entry in Alice in Wonderland! A blog where I analyze and discuss the way women are written in mythology! Last time we discussed the ever so beautiful Aphrodite: Goddess of Love and her weird incestuous relationships. Today we’re discussing Athena: Goddess of War and Wisdom!
Athena, also referred to as Athene. Is actually a Goddess of a whole lot of things. Wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill! A total mouthful, I know, but she’s a very talented and amazing woman!
Athena’s birth was quite the weird one, being said to not have a birth mother, yet a father. She was birthed from a massive headache Zeus obtained one day, she flew out from his forehead, beautiful and clad in armor. She was wise and powerful, protecting cities and being the female counterpart to Ares, the god of war. She was so loved that those who were heroes were blessed by Athena herself, incidentally enough, she was Zeus’ favorite child. Athena even has her own festival, Panathenaea, which is held in Athens annually! Athena truly is a prime example of a woman being properly portrayed, rather than being a harmless tool for men, she’s is a valiant warrior who protects the kind and the weak and offers wisdom to the lost, even blessing those who wish to protect others. She’s personally one of my favorite goddesses as she just feels rightfully powerful and empowering.
Alice in Wonderland 