Minerva Goddess of Wisdom summarizes the origins and attributes of the Greek goddess Athena, known as Minerva to the Romans. According to Greek mythology, Zeus swallowed Athena's mother pregnant with Athena, and Athena later burst from Zeus's forehead, fully grown and armored. As the goddess of wisdom, she did not have a spouse. Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god of Athens, with Athena's gift of the olive tree being preferred. Her symbols include the owl and olive branch. Athena aided the Greeks in the Trojan War and was important to both Greek and Roman culture and religion.

1. Minerva Goddess of Wisdom
By: Khyber A. Nasser

2. The Origins of Minerva
• Below is what the Greeks believed
was the origins of Minerva’s Greek
counterpart Athena.
• Zeus had received a prophecy saying
that his next child would rise up to kill
him, following in his father’s (Cronus)
footsteps he immediately ate Athena
when she born. Soon afterwards
though Zeus had a headache and
Athena burst from his head, fully
clothed in armor. Having come from
the Zeus’s brain Athena was the
goddess of wisdom.

3. Spouse
• Athena did not have a spouse as she was one of
three virgin goddesses.

4. The Legend of Athens
• Both Athena and Poseidon wanted to become the patron
of Athens. In order to decide who got this honor they
both decided to give Athens a gift and then let the
citizens of Athens choose. Poseidon created a salt water
spring as his gift, Athena created the olive tree. The
people of Athens decided Athena’s gift was better and
allowed her to become the patron of Athens.

5. Symbols of Minerva
• Several symbols of Minerva are:
– The Owl, representing her wisdom
– The Dove, representing victory
– Intertwined Snakes
– A Golden Shield and Helmet
– The Olive Branch

6. Attributes Given To Minerva
• She is the patron goddess of Athens, named after her
Greek name, Athena.
• The Parthenon is also considered an attribute of
Athena as she is accredited with designing it.
• Her aegis was given to her by Perseus and is
indestructible.

7. Role in the Trojan War
• Athena was one of few gods who was actively
involved in the Trojan War. While Apollo sided
with the Trojans, Athena sided with the Greeks
during the Trojan War. It is said that she is also
responsible for giving Odysseus the idea of the
Trojan Horse.

8. Importance to Roman Culture
• Minerva was both important to the
Greeks and the Romans but for
different reasons. The Greeks
worshipped her mainly for her battle
strategy, while the Romans mainly
for her more peaceful aspects such
as victory and arts. Despite this
however the Romans would still
pray to Minerva before
battles, hoping for victory.

9. Roles/Realms
Below is several of Athena’s more important roles:
• Goddess of Wisdom
• Goddess of War
• Goddess of Strategy
• Goddess of Courage
• Goddess of Arts
• Goddess of Justice
• Enforcer of rules
• Protector/Patron of the City of Athens

10. Holidays
• The Feast of Adorning was observed every May.
This was a festival in which the priestesses of
Athena would perform a cleansing ritual within
the personal sanctuary.

11. Sources
• http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/S8.1.html
• http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen/papers/ortengrenathena/at
hena.html
• http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-
myths/goddess_symbols_athena.htm
• http://www.amazonation.com/AthenaW&W.html
• http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/16400/16496/athena_16496.htm
• http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=307941
• http://www.greece-athens.com/
• http://orias.berkeley.edu/visuals/polytheism/album.html