Athene
Mythic, worshipped in ancient Greece, perhaps as early as 1600 B.C.E.
Daughter of Zeus and Metis, Athene—called Athena after 500 B.C.E.—was the maiden goddess of wisdom, justice, and war. She was often known as Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”), hence the name of her most famous temple, the Parthenon, built in the fifth century B.C.E. on the Acropolis in Athens. As protector of that city, she was worshipped as Athena Polias (“Athena of the City”). Her special relationship with Athens is evident in the etymological similarity of their names, but she was venerated in all parts of Greece. Athena may have been worshipped in varying forms as far back as the Mycenaean period (circa 1600–1100 B.C.E.).
