Original translation of this text was prepared by members of the Coptic Gnostic Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate School. The Coptic Gnostic Library Project was funded by UNESCO, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other Institutions. E. J. Brill has asserted copyright on texts published by the Coptic Gnostic Library Project.

New translation shown right here has been edited, altered and you can formatted to be used from the Gnostic Area Library. Getting educational violation, please refer to wrote editions from the text message.

Greek Deity out of Knowledge and War

Athena is actually a great Greek goddess called both Pallas and you can Athene. Inside the ancient greek language myths, they often relevant this lady having both warfare and facts too because handicraft, courage, inspiration, civilization, legislation and you may justice, proper warfare, math, power, means, new arts, and you can skill.

She along with offers a couple of things in common having Minerva out of Roman mythology. Of several make reference to their once the a protector or good patron from major urban centers such as for example Athens.

She’s recognized extremely especially for the woman proper skills for the warfare and that’s have a tendency to portrayed just like the companion from heroes which will be the brand new patron goddess out of courageous attempts.

Athena came into this world regarding Zeus immediately following the guy educated a huge nightmare and you can she sprang fully grown as well as in armor regarding their forehead.

She’s got no mom however, perhaps one of the most are not quoted tales would be the fact Zeus lay with Metis, the deity of crafty believe and you can skills, following swallowed the woman whole as he dreadful she will bring delivery so you can children stronger than him on account of an excellent prophecy – but she had currently created.

Etymology

Students believe that this lady term originates from the city regarding Athens. Legend claims you to definitely she try the first choice out of Athenai. It was a group of ladies who followed and worshiped the lady.

There is specific debate on perhaps the residents called Athens honoring the girl or if perhaps she gotten the girl title immediately after the town currently lived. Of many believe that she acquired their term once the she resided and you can led inside the Athens.

As early as 407 BC, Plato said her identity and stated one anyone else followed this lady owed in order to the woman information and you may degree. He then reported one to the girl identity originated in the new Greek phrase Athenoa, that can suggest moonlight and planet otherwise air.

Very early Sources

Rather than other Greek goddesses and you will gods, i don’t have as much understood concerning the early life of Athena. Early pills known as Linear B tablets speak about the woman label and refer to their just like the Female away from Athens. Particular translate sentences throughout the Linear A capsule so you’re able to suggest Athena of Zeus just like the she try the new girl out-of Zeus.

There are even several fresco bits that show the lady while the an excellent warrior. In a single, she retains a barrier within her give in accordance with two females close.

Additional shows a lady position facing multiple rows of women. Specific believe that this part portrays an alternate or early adaptation of warrior deity. Historians in addition to found some early graphic that displays Athena since a keen owl, which can describe why she is occasionally entitled a beneficial bird deity.

Patronage

Even when not an excellent patron saint, Athena is actually a great goddess. Known for decades because a war deity, she assisted get ready men into fighting ahead and you will considering him or her on necessary systems and you can supplies.

She are in the place of other gods and goddesses off ancient greek language tales exactly who think something is actually worth a battle. Goddess Athena believed that some body is always to simply visit battle once the a last resorts and only once they fought getting a good or simply just produce.

For the advancing years, scholars relevant the woman that have both Hestia and you will Artemis. They also known their due to the fact Parthenos, which means that virgin. Many now accept that the name of Parthenon arises from the word familiar with define her virginity. Citizens chosen this title so you can honor the fresh new intimate modesty she got. It believed that this lady virginity flat ways for other female.