Athena Parthenos Athena

the athena giustiniani, roman copy of greek statue of pallas athena serpent, erichthonius


erichthonius

pseudo-apollodorus records archaic legend, claims hephaestus once attempted rape athena, pushed him away, causing him ejaculate on thigh. athena wiped semen off using tuft of wool, tossed dust, impregnating gaia , causing give birth erichthonius, whom athena adopted own child. roman mythographer hyginus records similar story in hephaestus demanded zeus let him marry athena since 1 had smashed open zeus s skull, allowing athena born. zeus agreed , hephaestus , athena married, but, when hephaestus consummate union, athena vanished bridal bed, causing him ejaculate on floor, impregnating gaia erichthonius.

the geographer pausanias records athena placed infant erichthonius small chest (cista), entrusted care of 3 daughters of cecrops: herse, pandrosos, , aglauros of athens. warned 3 sisters not open chest, did not explain them why or in it. aglauros, , possibly 1 of other sisters, opened chest. differing reports either found child serpent, guarded serpent, guarded 2 serpents, or had legs of serpent. in pausanias s story, 2 sisters driven mad sight of chest s contents , hurled off acropolis, dying instantly, attic vase painting shows them being chased serpent off edge of cliff instead. erichthonius 1 of important founding heroes of athens , legend of daughters of cecrops cult myth linked rituals of arrhephoria festival.

another version of myth of athenian maidens told in metamorphoses roman poet ovid (43 bc – 17 ad); in late variant hermes falls in love herse. herse, aglaulus, , pandrosus go temple offer sacrifices athena. hermes demands aglaulus seduce herse. aglaulus demands money in exchange. hermes gives money sisters have offered athena. punishment aglaulus s greed, athena asks goddess envy make aglaulus jealous of herse. when hermes arrives seduce herse, aglaulus stands in way instead of helping him had agreed. turns stone.

medusa , tiresias

classical greek depiction of medusa fourth century bc

the gorgoneion appears have originated apotropaic symbol intended ward off evil. in late myth invented explain origins of gorgon, medusa described having been young priestess served in temple of athena in athens. poseidon lusted after medusa, , raped in temple of athena, refusing allow vow of chastity stand in way. upon discovering desecration of temple, athena transformed medusa hideous monster serpents hair gaze turn mortal stone.

in 1 version of tiresias myth, tiresias stumbled upon athena bathing, , struck him blind ensure never again see man not intended see. tiresias s mother chariclo intervened on behalf , begged athena have mercy. athena not restore tiresias s eyesight, instead gave him ability understand language of birds , foretell future.