Role Of Athena In Greek Mythology

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Greek mythology is often a high school student’s favorite reading topic because of the monsters, magic, and adventures found in the myths and stories. Characters like Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Charybdis, the monstrous whirlpool, and the magic of Mount Olympus captures the imagination of the young and old alike. Athena, Charybdis, and Mount Olympus are important aspects of Greek culture because of the significant role they play in major Greek works like the Odyssey and the Iliad. Athena, born out of Zeus’s head, was the Greek goddess of wisdom and warcraft and guided her favorites as she helped them during times of war and conflict (Atsma). First, Athena plays an important part in the beginning of the Trojan War. She was one of three goddesses involved in the conflict over the Golden Apple of Discord (Skidmore). Because Paris chose Aphrodite, she became his lifelong enemy. As a result, she took the side of the Greeks during the Trojan War. Next, readers see Athena helping Odysseus in the cave of the cyclops Polyphemus. Athena makes her presence known by providing an olive tree that Odysseus and his men use to blind the cyclops and escape. Last, Athena appears at the end of The Odyssey when she disguises Odysseus as an …show more content…
Athena demonstrates the importance of knowledge and craftiness in the realm of warfare as she guides and helps her favorites, Charybdis characterizes the perceived dangers and treachery of women,, and Mount Olympus remains an important place as many of the fateful actions and decisions that affect both gods and men are made there. Without their inclusion, Greek mythology would not represent these important aspects of Greek culture. Each give valuable insights to to the beliefs important to the ancient