Goddess Athena and Her Sacred Temple, The Parthenon

Today, I’m reblogging a guest post that I wrote for the awesome site, Eagles and Dragons Publishing. It’s owner, Adam Haviaras, is a Greek-Canadian author and historian who weaves his fascinating tales in the ancient worlds of Rome and Greece. Look out tomorrow for an interview with him on this blog, that got postponed last Monday due to the recent WordPress scare.

Adam is the friend I’ve been telling you about who was kind enough to point me to the online tutorial as to build my own site. He made his own this way too. Head over there to see what an awesome site it is and while you’re there, check out my post for a bit of Greek history and mythology. If anything, the post is worth a visit for the awesome video by the Greek Ministry of Culture which depicts the Parthenon’s many changes of appearance through the ages. The first time I saw this, I was so impressed that my jaw literally dropped. But don’t just take my word for it; go have a look! View it in full screen and you’ll be enchanted – I guarantee it!

GODDESS ATHENA AND HER SACRED TEMPLE, THE PARTHENON

A Guest post by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Goddess Athena was greatly revered by the ancient Greeks. One of her many epithets, Pallada (or Pallas), was owed to the peculiarity of her birth. According to legend, she sprang forth from the forehead of her father Zeus, fully armed and shaking her spear fiercely, making a fearsome sound. The word Pallada is derived from the Greek word ‘pallein’ which means ‘to shake’.

This divine young virgin was among other things, the goddess of wisdom and justice. Her sacred symbols include the owl and the olive tree. According to legend, she challenged Poseidon on the Athens Acropolis aiming to win the patronship of the city. The two Gods agreed to each offer a gift before king Cecrops and the witnessing Athenians; the better gift would grant the deity the greatly desired patronship status.

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