Athena loved heroes. She loved Heracles, Perseus, Diomedes and, of course, Odysseus. Intelligence and courage impressed her, while daring repelled her.

She protected the City of Athens, although she had to assert herself against Poseidon because he also wanted to have the power over the city. To decide which one of them would have this honor, each had to give a present to the inhabitants of the city, who afterwards would decide who would be the protector Athens. Poseidon chose letting a river run through Athens. It was quite a good idea, but he didn’t pay attention of what kind of water the river had, and it happened to be salty water… not so useful for the inhabitants. On the other side, Athena planted an olive tree on the top of the acropolis: the symbol of Greece, the wealth of their country. No doubt the inhabitants decided for Athena.

Athena, the quintessence of spirit and intelligence, had also her dark side, since she could be also very jealous and vengeful. Once, for example, Medusa claimed that she was at least as beautiful as Athena. As a result, Athena transformed Medusa in a terrible monster turning her into personified ugliness.

If you want to know how Athena was born read “Birth of Athena“.