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Minerva was born to only one parent, Jupiter. It is said that she "leaped forth from his brain" fully matured and wearing a complete suit of armor. |
Athena was born to one parent, Zues, after he ate Athena's mother, Metis. The reason Zues ate Metis was to prevent the birth of his offspring but it didn't work because Metis gave birth to Athena inside Zeus' brain. |
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Minerva, like Athena, only had one parent, Jupiter (Zeus). |
Athena was the daughter of Zeus and Metis. Zeus tried to prevent the birth of Athena by eating Metis, but Metis still had Athena. Metis gave birth inside Zeus' brain and Zeus complained of excruciation headaches. Therefore, Hephaistos swung at Zeus with an axe and splint his head open (I have seen two different versions of this story). |
Responsibilities Minerva was responsible for the useful and ornamental
arts, for men - like agriculture and navigation, and for
women, - like spinning weaving,and needlework. She was also
the God of War, but only the defensive side of it, not
offensive. Minerva was also responsible for the invention of
the olive tree. Athena was the protector of Athens, the virgin goddess of
war and wisdom, and the patroness of the arts and
crafts.
Top
Story Arachne challenged Minerva when she said, "Let Minerva
try her skill with mine; if beaten I will pay the
penalty." When Minerva heard of the challenge, she was
displeased. She made herself look like an old women and
went to Arachne to give her some advice. "I have had much experience," she said, "and I hope
you will not despise my counsel. Challenge your fellow
mortals as you will, but do not compete with a goddess.
On the contrary, I advise you to ask her forgiveness for
what you have said, and as she is merciful perhaps she
will pardon you." Arachne stopped who weaving and became annoyed and
angry at Minerva and said, "Keep your counsel, for your
daughters or handmaids; for my part I know what I say,
and I stand to it. I am not afraid of the goddess; let
her try her skill, if she dare venture. "She comes," Minerva said as she stripped out of her
costume and confessed. All the people around paid
reverence to the goddess. Arachne was not terrified. The two began their contest by first tending her
station and attaching the web to the beam. Each moved
rapidly. Minerva created in her web the scene of her
battle with Neptune. Twelve of the heavenly powers were
in the scene. Arachne wove a picture designed to show the failings
and errors of the gods. One scene showed Leda giving the
swan a massage, the swan was really Jupiter in disguise.
Another scene depicted Danae, in the brazen tower where
her father had imprisoned her, but where the god effected
his entrance in the form of a golden shower. Minerva could not stand the insult that Arachne had
weaved, so she took her shuffle and tore the weaving to
peices. Then she touched Arachne's forehead to make her
feel her guilt. Arachne could not stand the guilt any
more so she hung herself. Minerva took pity for her and
turned her into a spider to let her live. Athena was born when Hephaistos and Zeus were having a
battle. Hephaistos swung at Zeus with an axe and split his
head open, and Athena sprang out of Zeus' head, fully
clothed and armored. Because Zeus had been warned about the
power of his child, he tricked Mestis, Athena's mother, into
becoming a fly so he could swallow her and be rid of the
child. But it didn't work out that way and Athena was
born.
Top
Once, a mortal, Arachne, who had great talent in
the field of weaving and embroidery, dared to come in
competition with Minerva. Arachne's work was so beautiful
that the nymphs would leave their groves to come stare at
her work in awe. Arachne was so good at weaving and
embroidery that some said Minerva taught her herself.
Arachne denied this because she thought she was to good
to be taught.