Her Shield
Athena’s shield was famous for having the head of Medusa on it. Athena was actually the one who initially cursed Medusa. The gorgon Medusa was once a beautiful mortal. Gorgon was a term in Greek mythology used to describe three cursed sisters. The young girls were first cursed after Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, raped Medusa in Athena’s sacred temple, the Parthenon. Athena was a virgin goddess, and was greatly angered that Medusa would defile her sanctuary. She put a curse on the beautiful mortal, and her two sisters, that turned their hair into many venomous snakes. Medusa and her sisters’ curse also made any man who looked at them turn to stone. Perseus, a Greek hero, is said to be the one who killed Medusa. Athena aided him in his pursuit and successful killing of Medusa. Afterwards, Athena placed Medusa’s head on her shield to strike fear in enemy soldiers.
The Aulos
An aulos was a flute used in ancient Greece. Athena is recognised by Greek mythology as the inventor of the aulos. In order to play this instrument, a person must blow enough air through one reed to fill the two tubes used to construct it. Playing this instrument would usually result in Athena’s cheeks becoming puffy and red, because of the great amount of air needed to generate pleasant music. Athena despised how she looked when she played the instrument, and eventually stopped playing her aulos.
The Olive Tree
The gift that won Athena the role as Athens’ guardian was an olive tree. Athena and Poseidon both wanted to be the protectors of Athens, but a city-state could only have one main deity. To solve this dispute, the gods had a competition to see who could give Athens the best gift. Whoever granted the most useful gift would be the winner, and thus the guardian of Athens. Poseidon offered a stream of saltwater, which was not a very practical gift. Athena won the competition by causing a fruitful olive tree to grow on Athens’ acropolis. The olives could be harvested for food and oil for many years to come. It was truly an excellent gift. Athena would go on to continuously defend Athens and provide the people with many inventions that made warfare and agriculture more efficient.