Story 1 - Orestes’ Trial
This story played up one of the areas I most associated with Athena, wisdom. When Orestes needs someone to judge his bloodguilt he chooses to seek out the Pallas Goddess. He throws himself at her mercy because he trusts her to protect him from the furies, and judge his fate with a balanced mind. In this play Athena also proclaims herself to side with the man and not the woman. She says this for the single reason that she was “born of no woman.” This points out the incredibly patriarchal force she represented.

Story 2 – Pallas et Arachne
Here I found that Athena was associated with something given as a traditionally feminine role, weaving. Not only was she associated with it, but she was also supposed to be the most talented weaver in the world! When this upstart woman named Arachne blatantly calls her work greater than Athena’s, the goddess quickly reacts with her anger and wrath. So, even though Athena is associated with this feminine art, she still reacts quite like a man would be expected to. When challenged she physically and mentally punishes the one who stood up against her.

Story 3 – The Birth of Athena
As I mentioned earlier in the story about Orestes’ Trial, Athena was born of no woman. In this story we find out that the goddess actually sprang forth out of Zeus’ head after he swallowed his pregnant wife Thetis. Zeus swallowed her to condense his ruling power, and because he was afraid that any child born of her would grow powerful enough to overthrow him. Out of his fear of a woman’s potential to create a source of power he gives birth himself to the most powerful woman the Greek pantheon ever knows. But, because Athena is born of Zeus and not Thetis she is forever associated with the masculine side. In fact, I believe that the circumstances surrounding her birth are the only reason she is allowed to hold the traditionally masculine spheres of war and wisdom as her own.

Story 4 – The Naming of Athens
Athena showcases her wisdom in this tale about how Athens’ received her name. The citizens of a powerful, but unnamed city pit Athena against Poseidon to see which god can provide the most glorious gift to them. Both gods knowing that this city was destined to be great fight dearly to keep it for their own. Athena judges the citizens and what they want, and creates an olive tree, while Poseidon only creates a simple river to flow near the city. Because Athena was so wise to the wants and needs of the citizens she was able to create something they would hold dear to their hearts. This wisdom won her the name of naming this city Athens.

Story 5 – The Bath of Athena
Being associated with the brutish game of warfare is nothing to scoff at. In fact I believe Athena’s personality reflects the callous care for life that one must have who spends their immortal life fighting wars. In this story Athena ruthlessly robs a small boy of his sight just because he stumbles across her bathing. This young boy happens to be Teiresias, her girl friend’s son. Instead of immediately trying to take back this horrid act, it takes much pleading by Chariclo to convince the Goddess that she acted rashly. I think this is an interesting story because it highlights how different Athena is from how a Greek woman would have been expected to be. She does not show emotion when she blinds a child, except for anger. Even when she finds out this little boy is Chariclo’s son she does not apologize. She is a cold and harsh goddess because there is no room for womanly emotions in either war or wisdom.

Story 6 – The 11th Labor of Herakles
Here we find Athena showing off her godly muscle. One of the greatest “mortal” heroes of Greek mythology needs help holding up the world. And really, who wouldn’t? That is a monumental task. So he calls for help from his patron goddess, Athena. When she finally does deign to help him she shows no strain when taking on the weight of the world. Herakles also draws on the goddess’ wisdom to figure a way out of bearing the world on his shoulders for eternity.

Story 7 – The Judgment of Paris
This story shows a side of Athena I never thought I’d see. She competes in a beauty contest with two other goddesses! This carefully points out that even the goddess of war wants to look beautiful while she’s battling. It took me aback that Athena would care if she was or was not the recipient of the golden apple. Never before had I seen her act so, well, girlish. Her offer to Paris as a bribe is everything that she stands for. She offers him great wisdom and battle prowess, and in her eyes there was nothing greater anyone could achieve. Too bad Paris was only interested in his lust, and not in the workings of war.