Athena in the Ancient Sources: 359 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (9)

Hesiod, Theogony 900–929tZeus's marriages and children; the birth of Athena (900-929)Zeus marries Themis (the Hours and the Fates), Eurynome (the Graces), Demeter (Persephone), Mnemosyne (the Muses), Leto (Apollo and Artemis) and lastly Hera, whose children are Hebe, Ares and Eileithyia. Zeus bears Athena from his own head, and Hera bears Hephaestus without Zeus. The section recounts again how Zeus swallowed Metis, who conceived Athena, and how she was born by the river Trito.
Hesiod, Works and Days 40–104Prometheus, fire and Pandora (40-104)The gods keep the means of life hidden from men, and Zeus hides fire because Prometheus deceived him; Prometheus steals it back in a fennel-stalk. As the price for fire Zeus has Hephaestus mould a maiden, whom Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes and the Graces equip with skills, charm and a deceitful nature. She is named Pandora and sent to Epimetheus, who accepts her despite Prometheus's warning, and she lifts the lid of the jar and scatters evils among men, while Hope alone stays inside.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.1–13Deucalion, Hellen and their descendantsThe Catalogue of Women opens with the descendants of Deucalion and Hellen, saying that Deucalion was the son of Prometheus and Pronoea, that Hellen fathered Dorus, Xuthus and Aeolus, and that Thyia bore Magnes and Macedon to Zeus. The fragments then turn to the Aloiadae, Eurynome, Endymion, the sons of Actor and Molione, Periclymenus, and the sons of Neleus whom Heracles killed. Most are short quotations from later writers who cite Hesiod for a name or a descent.
Hesiod, Theogony 570–614The first woman: Zeus's price for fire (570-614)Zeus gives men an evil in return for fire: Hephaestus moulds a maiden from earth, Athena dresses her, and the other gods adorn her. Hesiod says that from her comes the race of women, a great trouble to mortal men, like drones among the bees, and that marriage and bachelorhood each bring their own sorrow. He ends with the fate of Prometheus, whom strong bonds confine.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 400–480Heracles kills Cycnus and wounds Ares (400-480)Heracles drives his spear into Cycnus's neck between helmet and shield, and he falls like a lightning-struck oak. Ares attacks next, and although Athena tells him to stop, he is wounded in the thigh and cast down, and Panic and Dread carry him to Olympus. Heracles and Iolaus strip Cycnus's armour and go to Trachis, where Ceyx buries him, but Anaurus, swollen by rain at Apollo's command, washes the grave away.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 75–149Heracles and Iolaus arm for battle (75-149)Heracles tells his charioteer Iolaus how Amphitryon came to Thebes after killing Electryon over oxen, and how Iolaus's father lost his senses through Zeus and went to serve the wicked Eurystheus. He bids Iolaus drive straight at Ares, who is raging in Apollo's grove, and Iolaus answers with encouragement. Heracles then arms himself with greaves from Hephaestus, a breastplate from Athena, a quiver, a spear and a helm, and takes up the shield, which has Fear in adamant at its centre with Strife above his brow.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 325–399Athena's counsel; Heracles meets Cycnus (325-399)Athena tells Heracles and Iolaus that Zeus gives them power to kill Cycnus and strip his armour, but that they must only wound Ares and then draw back. When the chariots meet, Heracles tells Cycnus to turn aside because he is bound for King Ceyx at Trachis, and recalls how he once wounded Ares at Pylos. Cycnus refuses, both men leap to the ground, and Zeus thunders and rains drops of blood as the fight begins.
Hesiod, Theogony 870–899The winds of Typhoeus; Zeus becomes king and swallows Metis (870-899)Hesiod describes the destructive winds that spring from Typhoeus and wreck ships and fields. When the gods have settled their struggle with the Titans, they press Zeus to reign, and he divides their honours. Zeus's first wife is Metis, the wisest of gods and men; to prevent her bearing a son who would rule over him, he deceives her and puts her inside his own belly.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 150–239The shield of Heracles: war, Lapiths and Centaurs, the harbour, Perseus (150-239)The shield's decoration continues with Pursuit, Flight, Tumult and Panic, deadly Fate dragging a dead man, twelve snake heads, and boars and lions glaring at one another. Other scenes show the Lapiths fighting the Centaurs, Ares in his golden chariot with Athena, the gods on Olympus where Apollo plays the lyre and the Muses sing, and a harbour with dolphins and a fisherman. Perseus, wearing the cap of Hades and carrying the Gorgon's head, flies above the shield while the Gorgons pursue him, and beyond him men fight for and against a town.

Homer (99)

Homer, Iliad 6.237–368Hector in Troy: Hecuba, Athena's temple, Paris and HelenHector reaches the Scaean gates, where the Trojan women ask for their sons and husbands, and goes on to Priam's house, where Hecuba offers him wine. He tells her to gather the older women and lay the finest robe on the knees of Athena, and Theano the priestess prays for Diomedes' fall, but Athena denies the prayer. Hector then goes to Paris, rebukes him, and refuses Helen's offer to sit, since he wants to see his own household.
Homer, Odyssey 24.412–548The kinsmen of the suitors; peace restoredRumour carries the news of the slaughter through the city, and the kinsmen of the suitors take up their bodies and gather in the market-place, where Eupeithes, the father of Antinous, calls for revenge. Odysseus and his men arm and go out to meet them. Laertes kills Eupeithes with a spear, and Athena, in the likeness of Mentor, calls off the fighting, and a covenant is made between the two sides.
Homer, Odyssey 3.1–101Telemachus lands at PylosTelemachus and Athena reach Pylos at sunrise and find Nestor and his people sacrificing black bulls to Poseidon on the shore. Nestor's son Peisistratus welcomes them, gives them a place at the feast and hands Athena the golden cup. When they have eaten, Nestor asks who they are, and Telemachus asks him for news of his father.
Homer, Iliad 5.793–909Diomedes wounds AresAthena finds Diomedes cooling the wound the arrow made, rebukes him, and takes Sthenelus' place in his car, putting on the helm of Hades. They go against Ares, who is stripping the body of Periphas, and Diomedes drives his spear into the god's belly. Ares bellows like nine thousand men and goes up to Olympus, where Zeus tells him that he is hateful to him, but has Paeon heal him.
Homer, Odyssey 22.205–309The slaying of the suitors: Athena as MentorAthena comes to the hall in the likeness of Mentor, and Odysseus calls for his aid, but she rebukes him for lacking his old courage. She flies up to a beam in the roof as a swallow, and the suitors take courage and throw their spears, but Athena turns them aside. Odysseus and his three companions throw in reply and kill four men, and then Athena shakes her aegis and the suitors flee like cattle stung by gadflies.
Homer, Iliad 8.350–484Zeus turns back Hera and AthenaHera and Athena set out to help the Achaeans, but Zeus sends Iris to turn them back with the threat of lamed horses and a shattered car. Zeus returns to Olympus and tells the two goddesses that at dawn he will destroy more of the Argives and that Hector will not stop fighting until Achilles rises at the ships over the body of Patroclus. Hera refuses to be rebuked and says that she will not oppose him.
Homer, Odyssey 2.382–434Athena makes ready the shipAthena, in the likeness of Telemachus, goes through the city gathering a crew, and borrows a swift ship from Noemon. She sheds sleep on the suitors, and then, as Mentor, calls Telemachus out to the ship. They stow the stores and set sail with a fair west wind, with Athena sitting at the stern.
Homer, Odyssey 3.329–403Athena departs; the night at PylosAs evening falls Athena pours a libation and departs in the shape of an osprey, and Nestor knows that his guest was a god. Nestor vows a heifer to her and takes Telemachus to the palace, where Telemachus sleeps in the porch beside Peisistratus.
Homer, Iliad 10.469–579The slaying of RhesusOdysseus and Diomedes go on through the arms and blood and find the Thracians sleeping. Diomedes kills twelve men and then Rhesus, while Odysseus drags the bodies aside and leads off the king's white horses. Athena tells Diomedes to flee and Apollo wakes the Trojans, but the pair reach the ships with the horses, bathe and eat.
Homer, Iliad 21.383–513The battle of the godsThe gods go to war with one another: Ares attacks Athena with his spear and is knocked down by a stone she hurls, and Athena strikes Aphrodite when she comes to help him. Poseidon challenges Apollo, who refuses to fight over mortals, and Artemis, scolded by Hera, is beaten and runs in tears to Zeus. Hermes declines to fight Leto, who gathers up the scattered bow and arrows of her daughter.
Homer, Odyssey 1.96–199Athena visits TelemachusAthena goes to Ithaca in the shape of Mentes, chief of the Taphians, and finds the suitors playing draughts in the courtyard while Telemachus sits among them, unhappy. He welcomes the stranger and sets a meal before him, and the two speak of the suitors who feast in the hall while a minstrel plays. Athena says that she is an old guest-friend of Odysseus' house and that he is still alive, held back on an island.
Homer, Odyssey 7.1–77Athena guides Odysseus to the palaceNausicaa reaches home, and Odysseus walks to the city, where Athena in the shape of a young girl with a pitcher meets him and offers to show him Alcinous' house. She covers him with a mist so that no Phaeacian sees him, tells him of the line of Alcinous, and tells him to approach the queen Arete first.

87 more passages of Homer that name Athena

Apollodorus (15)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.14.1–8Cecrops, Athena and Poseidon, and the early kings of AthensCecrops, a son of the soil, is the first king of Attica, and in his reign Athena and Poseidon contend for the land and the gods award it to Athena. The section covers Cecrops's daughters, Cephalus, Cinyras and Adonis, the kings Cranaus, Amphictyon and Erichthonius (born from Hephaestus's seed), the gift of wine to Icarius and Erigone's death, and ends with Pandion and the story of Procne, Philomela and Tereus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.4.1–5Perseus: Danae, Medusa and AndromedaAn oracle tells Acrisius that his daughter's son will kill him, so he shuts Danae in a brazen chamber, but she bears Perseus to Zeus and is cast into the sea with him in a chest. On Seriphus, Polydectes sends Perseus to fetch the Gorgon's head; with help from Hermes and Athena he gets the nymphs' gear from the Phorcides and beheads Medusa, from whom Pegasus and Chrysaor spring. He rescues Andromeda from a sea monster, turns Polydectes to stone, and accidentally kills Acrisius with a discus at Larissa, so fulfilling the oracle. The section ends with Perseus's descendants and the birth of Eurystheus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.12.1–7Dardanus, Priam and the royal house of TroyElectra's son Dardanus founds the line of the Trojan kings through Erichthonius and Tros, to Ganymede, Anchises and Ilus. Ilus founds Ilium on the spot where the cow lies down and receives the Palladium, and Laomedon and Priam follow him, with Tithonus and Memnon among Laomedon's line. The section lists Priam's children, including Hecuba's dream before Paris's birth, Cassandra's gift, and Paris and Oenone, and ends with the sons of Aeacus, Peleus and Telamon, the murder of Phocus and the birth of Ajax and Teucer.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.6.1–8The Seven against ThebesEteocles and Polynices quarrel over the throne of Thebes, and Polynices gathers an Argive army under Adrastus. Amphiaraus foresees disaster but is compelled to join by Eriphyle, who has accepted the necklace of Harmonia. At Nemea the infant Opheltes is killed by a serpent and the Nemean games are founded; at Thebes Menoeceus sacrifices himself on Tiresias's word, Capaneus is struck by lightning, and Eteocles and Polynices kill each other. Tydeus loses Athena's gift by eating Melanippus's brain, Amphiaraus is swallowed by the earth, and only Adrastus escapes.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.6.1–29The returns from Troy: Nauplius, Agamemnon's murder and OrestesThe Greeks quarrel at an assembly over whether to leave at once, and the section follows the returns: Calchas and Mopsus at Colophon, the storm at Tenos in which Ajax dies, Nauplius's false beacon at Caphereus, Neoptolemus in Molossia, and the fates of Demophon and Phyllis, Podalirius and the Locrian maidens. Agamemnon is murdered by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and Orestes avenges him, is tried at Athens, and brings the image of Artemis from the Taurians. The section ends with Menelaus's wanderings and his return to Sparta.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.6.1–3The Giants and TyphonEarth bears the Giants, led by Alcyoneus and Porphyrion, and because an oracle says no god can kill them, Zeus summons Heracles; the section lists which god kills which Giant. Earth then bears Typhon, who drives the gods to Egypt, takes Zeus's sinews and hides them in a Cilician cave until Hermes and Aegipan steal them back. Zeus pursues him through Thrace and Sicily and buries him under Mount Etna.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.5.1–23The death of Achilles, the Wooden Horse and the fall of TroyPenthesilea and then Memnon come to Troy's aid and are killed by Achilles, who is himself shot by Paris and Apollo. The contest for Achilles' arms drives Ajax to madness and suicide. Troy falls after Philoctetes shoots Paris, Helenus reveals the three conditions, Neoptolemus joins the army and Odysseus steals the Palladium, and the Greeks take the city with the Wooden Horse, Sinon and the beacon at Tenedos; the section closes with the sack, the deaths of Astyanax and Polyxena, and the division of the captives.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.1.1–5Inachus, Io and the DanaidsThe line of Inachus of Argos runs through Phoroneus and Apis to Argus the All-seeing, whom Hermes kills while he guards Io, whom Zeus has turned into a cow. Io wanders to Egypt and bears Epaphus, whose descendants include the twins Belus and Agenor. Belus's twin sons Aegyptus and Danaus quarrel over the kingdom, Danaus flees to Argos with his fifty daughters, and they are married to Aegyptus's sons and kill them on the wedding night, all but Hypermnestra, who spares Lynceus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.7.1–8Heracles' wars, Deianira and the death of HeraclesHera's storms drive Heracles to Cos on his way back from Troy, and he then fights beside the gods against the Giants. He campaigns against Augeas and the Molionides in Elis, against Pylos and against Hippocoon in Sparta, and fathers Telephus by Auge. He wins Deianira from Achelous and kills the centaur Nessus at the Evenus; after taking Oechalia, he puts on the robe stained with Nessus's blood and burns on Mount Oeta, rising to heaven and marrying Hebe. The section ends with a long list of his children, among them his sons by the daughters of Thespius.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.4.1–4Cadmus and the founding of ThebesAfter the death of Telephassa, Cadmus is told at Delphi to follow a cow and found a city where it lies down. He kills the dragon of Ares, sows its teeth to raise the Spartoi, serves Ares for a year, and marries Harmonia. Their daughters Autonoe, Ino, Semele and Agave are named; Semele is destroyed when she asks to see Zeus in his glory, Dionysus is born from Zeus's thigh, and Ino and Athamas rear him and are driven mad. The section ends with Actaeon, torn apart by his own dogs after seeing Artemis bathing.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.3.1–6Zeus's children, the Muses, Orpheus and the birth of AthenaZeus marries Hera and has children by many goddesses, among them the Seasons, the Fates, the Graces, Persephone and, by Mnemosyne, the nine Muses. The Muses' sons include Linus and Orpheus, who goes down to Hades for Eurydice and loses her by looking back, as well as Hyacinth (loved by Thamyris and by Apollo), Rhesus and the Corybantes; Thamyris is blinded by the Muses and the Sirens are born of Melpomene. Hephaestus is born to Hera (alone, or by Zeus, in Homer's version) and thrown out of heaven, and Athena springs from the head of Zeus after he swallows Metis.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.16–22Jason and the Argonauts: the voyage to PhineusPelias is warned against the man with one sandal and sends Jason to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Argus builds the Argo, the crew is listed, and the ship calls at Lemnos, at the land of the Doliones where Cyzicus is killed by mistake, and at Mysia, where Hylas is lost and Heracles is left behind. Polydeuces kills Amycus of the Bebryces, and at Salmydessus Zetes and Calais drive the Harpies from the seer Phineus, who tells the crew how to pass the Clashing Rocks.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.4.6–12Amphitryon, Alcmene and the youth of HeraclesElectryon's sons are killed in a cattle raid by the Taphians, and Amphitryon accidentally kills Electryon and takes refuge at Thebes, where he wins the Teleboan war with the help of Cephalus's dog. Zeus lies with Alcmene in Amphitryon's likeness and she bears Heracles and Iphicles; the infant Heracles strangles the serpents Hera sends. Heracles is taught by several masters, kills the lion of Cithaeron after fathering children by Thespius's fifty daughters, and defeats the Minyans of Erginus. Hera then drives him mad and he kills his children, and the Pythia at Delphi names him Heracles and sends him to serve Eurystheus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.1–6The Labours of Heracles (1-6): the Nemean Lion to the Stymphalian BirdsHeracles goes to Tiryns and serves Eurystheus, who sets him labours. He strangles the Nemean lion, kills the Lernaean hydra with Iolaus's help, takes the Cerynitian hind alive, and captures the Erymanthian boar after the fight with the centaurs at Pholus's cave, in which Chiron is wounded. He then cleans the stables of Augeas by diverting two rivers, and scares off the Stymphalian birds with Athena's castanets. Eurystheus refuses to count the hydra and the stables, because Iolaus helped and Augeas paid a wage.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.9.1–2Arcas, Auge and Telephus; Atalanta and MelanionArcas has two sons, Elatus and Aphidas, who divide the land; Aphidas's son Aleus has a daughter, Auge, who bears Telephus to Heracles and is sent away to Teuthras in Mysia. Lycurgus's son Iasus has a daughter, Atalanta, who is exposed but suckled by a she-bear and raised by hunters. She kills the centaurs who attack her, wrestles Peleus and hunts the Calydonian boar, and Melanion wins her in a foot race with Aphrodite's golden apples; both are later turned into lions, and their son is Parthenopaeus.

Pindar (5)

Pindar, Olympian Odes 13.1–115Olympian 13: for Xenophon — Corinth and BellerophonPindar praises Corinth and the house of Xenophon, victor in the foot-race and pentathlon, and asks who first invented the dithyramb and the bridle. He tells of the Corinthian heroes of the Argo and of Troy, and how Bellerophon slept at Athena's altar, was given the golden bridle and tamed Pegasus at the spring of Peirene. The ode ends with the list of the family's victories at the Isthmus and Nemea and a prayer to Zeus.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 12.1–32Pythian 12: for Midas — Perseus, Medusa and the flutePindar praises Acragas and Midas, flute-player and Pythian victor, and tells how Perseus cut off the head of Medusa and blinded the brood of Phorcus, freeing his mother from Polydectes. He says that Athena made the many-voiced music of the flute to echo the lament of the Gorgons, and gave it to mortals for their contests. The ode ends with the reflection that without toil there is no success, and that fortune is unforeseen.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 5.1–24Olympian 5: for Psaumis — CamarinaPindar greets Camarina, daughter of Ocean, and the mule-car victory of Psaumis, who has raised her new city and honoured the gods with sacrifices and contests at Olympia. He praises Pallas, the river Oanis, the lake and the streams of the Hipparis, and calls on Zeus, lord of the hill of Cronus, as a suppliant. He ends by saying that a man who spends his wealth well should not seek to become a god.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 7.1–95Olympian 7: for Diagoras — Rhodes and the HeliadaePindar compares his gift of song to a golden bowl given by a father to his son-in-law and praises Diagoras of Rhodes, boxing victor, and Rhodes, bride of the Sun. He recalls Tlepolemus, son of Heracles, who killed Licymnius and founded the Rhodian cities, and tells how Zeus rained gold on the island when Athena sprang from his head, and how the Heliadae learned craft from her. The Sun, forgotten at the first division of the earth, then claimed the island that rose from the sea; the ode ends with a prayer to Zeus for Diagoras and the Eratidae.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 10.1–72Pythian 10: for Hippocleas — Perseus and the HyperboreansPindar praises Thessaly and the Aleuadae and Hippocleas, victor in the boys' double foot-race, and prays that his house may prosper. He tells how Perseus, favoured by Athena, feasted among the Hyperboreans, killed the Gorgon Medusa and turned the islanders of Seriphus to stone. He ends by praising Thorax of Larissa and by saying that men cannot climb to heaven but may reach the furthest limit allowed them.

Aeschylus (15)

Aeschylus, Eumenides 397–489Athena arrives and hears both sidesAthena arrives from the Scamander and is astonished at the strange group. The Furies tell her who they are and what their function is, and she says that only half of the case has been heard. Orestes tells her who he is, and says that he killed his mother by Apollo's command. Athena says that the case is too great for any single mortal, and decides to appoint judges from the citizens to try it.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 870–915Athena persuades the FuriesThe Furies repeat their lament, and Athena says that she will never tire of telling them of the good things she offers them, and that they will have a home in her land. The Furies ask what place they will have and what blessings to invoke, and Athena tells them to wish for a victory without evil, and for the blessings of earth, sea and sky.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 622–680The arguments of Apollo and the FuriesThe Furies ask how Zeus' oracle can make the murder of a mother right. Apollo answers that the death of a king, honoured by the sceptre, is not the same as the death of an ordinary person, and that a mother is the nurse and not the parent of the child. He points to Athena, who was born from her father without a mother. The Furies point out that Zeus himself bound his father, and Apollo says that fetters can be undone; Athena then asks the jurors to vote.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 734–777The votes are counted: Orestes is acquittedAthena declares that she will cast her vote for Orestes, since no mother bore her and she favours the male in all things but marriage, and says that Orestes wins even if the vote is equal. The votes are counted and found equal, and Orestes is acquitted. He thanks Athena and promises that his country will never take up arms against Athens.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 1–93Prologue: the Priestess at Delphi and Apollo's promiseThe Priestess of Apollo at Delphi prays to the gods who held the oracle before Apollo and then goes in to the shrine. She comes out terrified, having seen a man at the altar with bloody hands and sword, surrounded by sleeping women with snakes in their hair. Apollo tells Orestes that he will not abandon him, tells him that the Furies are asleep, and sends him to the city of Athena with Hermes as his escort.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 235–298Orestes at Athena's statue; the Furies find himOrestes comes to Athens and, clasping the statue of Athena, asks her to receive him kindly and to be his ally in Argos without war. The Furies arrive, following the blood-scent, and find him, and say that they will drink his blood and drag him down. Orestes answers that he has been purified many times and knows the rules of speech and silence, and calls on Athena to help him.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 566–621Second episode: the trial opensAthena has the herald call the court to order, and Apollo comes to give evidence, claiming that he is responsible for Orestes' act. The Furies question Orestes, who admits that he killed his mother, and says that Clytaemestra killed her husband. Orestes calls on Apollo to speak for him, and Apollo says that he spoke the oracle at the command of Zeus.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 988–1047Exodos: the procession of the EumenidesAthena tells the Chorus that they are finding the path of good speech, and promises them a house under the earth, where they will be honoured. She calls on the people of the city to escort them, with torches and in robes dyed scarlet, and the Chorus bless the citizens and the land. The escort goes off in procession singing a hymn.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 78–180Parodos: the Theban women in terrorThe Chorus of Theban women sing in terror of the sound of the approaching army, the clatter of the chariots and the dust, and call on the gods of the city for help. They pray to Athena, Poseidon, Ares, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and Hera and beg them to save Thebes from capture and slavery.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 457–562Second episode: Eteoclus, Hippomedon and Parthenopaeus at the next three gatesThe Scout reports Eteoclus at the third gate, Hippomedon, who spins his huge shield, at the fourth, and Parthenopaeus of Arcadia at the fifth. For each, Eteocles names a Theban to meet him, Megareus, Hyperbius and Actor, and he says that the signs on the enemies' shields tell of their own doom.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 179–234Apollo drives the Furies out of his templeApollo orders the Furies out of his shrine, saying that no god loves such creatures as they are, and that they belong where punishment is given. They answer that he alone is guilty of Orestes' deed, since he told him to kill his mother, and that they will never leave their prey. Apollo says that he will protect his suppliant, and that Athena will judge the case.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 299–396First stasimon: the Furies' binding songThe Furies tell Orestes that neither Apollo nor Athena can save him, and dance and sing a song that binds their victim. They say that they are the children of Night and that their office was assigned to them from the beginning. They tell how they drive out those whose hands are bloody and who have killed a kinsman, and they say that mortals who feel proud will be brought low.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 778–869The Furies' anger and Athena's first appealsThe Furies cry out that the younger gods have ridden down the ancient laws, and threaten to let their anger fall on the land. Athena tells them that they have not been defeated, since the vote was equal and Zeus himself gave testimony, and offers them a share of honour in her land. They answer with the same threat, and Athena repeats her offer.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 916–987Kommos: the Furies accept Athens and bless itThe Furies accept a home in Athens, and Athena tells the city's guardians how the Furies will keep the land free from harm. The Chorus pray for fruitful trees and flocks, for marriage for maidens, and for the protection of the young from untimely death, and for the city to be spared civil strife and the shedding of kindred blood.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 681–733Athena founds the court on the Hill of AresAthena addresses the people of Attica and establishes the court on the Hill of Ares for the first trial of a murder case. She says that the reverence and fear of the citizens will keep them from doing wrong by day and night as long as they do not corrupt the laws, and she tells the jurors to cast their votes. The Furies and Apollo threaten and warn each other while the jurors come forward.

Sophocles (5)

Sophocles, Ajax 1–133Prologue: Athena shows Odysseus the madness of AjaxAthena sees Odysseus tracking footprints near the tent of Ajax, and Odysseus says that the army's cattle have been found slaughtered and that everyone blames Ajax. Athena tells how she sent a madness on Ajax, so that he took the animals for the Greek chiefs and tortured and killed them, and calls him out of his tent. Though Ajax boasts to her that he has dealt with the Atreidae and Odysseus, Odysseus does not rejoice, but pities him, and Athena tells him to learn from this to avoid arrogance toward the gods.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1044–1098Second stasimon: the Chorus imagine the pursuitThe Chorus pray to be where the enemy will soon join battle, by the shores of Apollo or at the torch-lit beach, and imagine the horsemen of Athens overtaking the fugitives. They pray to Zeus and Pallas Athena, and to Apollo and his sister, for help, and sense that today the maidens will be recovered, and see the daughters returning.
Sophocles, Ajax 693–814Second stasimon: the sailors' joy; the Messenger's warningThe Chorus sing a joyful song to Pan, thinking that Ajax's trouble is over. A Messenger arrives from Teucer, whom the army has been abusing, and tells them that the seer Calchas has said that Ajax must be kept in his tent that day, since Athena's wrath will last only that day, and that if he goes out he will die. Tecmessa and the Chorus rush out to search for him.
Sophocles, Women of Trachis 947–1042Exodos: Heracles is carried inThe Chorus see Heracles carried in on a litter by attendants, with Hyllus, and an old man tells them to keep silent, since he is asleep. He wakes in agony and cries out against the pain, and asks for someone to strike off his head with sword or fire. He tells Hyllus to lift him and to end his life with a sword, and curses Deianeira.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 151–215Parodos: the Chorus of Theban elders pray against the plagueThe Chorus of Theban elders ask what the oracle of Apollo means, and pray to Athena, Artemis and Apollo to drive away the plague. They describe the dying city, the unburied dead and the cries of women at the altars, and call on Zeus, Apollo, Artemis and Bacchus to drive out the god of war and plague.

Euripides (30)

Euripides, Trojan Women 48–97Prologue: Athena and Poseidon plan to wreck the Greek fleetAthena asks Poseidon to join her in a plan, though she was once the enemy of Troy, and complains that the Achaeans did nothing and said nothing when her temple was outraged. She says that Zeus will send rain, hail and tempests on the Greeks when they sail from Ilium, and asks Poseidon to make the Aegean roar with billows and whirlpools and to fill the hollow bay of Euboea with corpses, and Poseidon agrees, saying that the mortal who sacks cities and temples is a fool.
Euripides, Ion 987–1047Third episode: Creusa plans to poison Ion with Gorgon's bloodCreusa tells of the war of the earth-born, of how Athena slew the Gorgon and wears its skin on her aegis, and of how Athena gave Erichthonius two drops of the monster's blood, one that kills and one that heals. She says that she wears the poisonous drop in a golden bracelet, and that it is to be put in the cup of the boy at the feast, in Delphi rather than Athens. She gives the bracelet to the Old Servant, who goes to do the deed.
Euripides, Ion 1553–1622Exodos: Athena appears and foretells the IoniansAthena appears and tells them not to fly, saying that she is Pallas, after whom the land is named, sent in haste by Apollo, who would not appear himself for fear of reproaches for the past. She declares that Creusa is Ion's mother and Apollo his father, and that the god gave him to Xuthus only to bring him to a house of high repute, and she foretells the Ionians, and that Xuthus and Creusa will have Dorus, ancestor of the Dorians, and Achaeus. Ion and Creusa accept her words, and the Chorus ends with praise of Apollo.
Euripides, Rhesus 627–674Fourth episode: Athena, as Aphrodite, deceives ParisAthena sees Paris coming toward them, and tells them that it is not decreed that he should fall by Diomedes' hand. She takes the likeness of Cypris and tells Paris that all is quiet and that Hector has gone to assign Rhesus' army a sleeping place, so that he goes off free from fear. She then tells Odysseus to sheathe his swords, since Rhesus is dead and the enemy is coming, and to flee to the ships.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 1422–1499Exodos: Athena stops Thoas and sets out the future of the cultThoas calls on all citizens to rush to the coast and seize the Greek ship, and says that he will punish the Chorus later. Athena appears and tells him to cease the pursuit, since Orestes has come at Apollo's command and Poseidon will let him sail safely. She tells Orestes to found a temple at Halae in Attica, and that Iphigenia will be priestess at Brauron, and Thoas yields, saying that whoever hears the words of the gods and does not obey is not thinking rightly.
Euripides, Suppliants 1165–1234Exodos: Athena binds Argos to Athens by an oathTheseus tells Adrastus that he gives him these bones, and asks that Argos remember Athens' service, and Adrastus pledges eternal gratitude. Athena appears and tells Theseus that he should not give the bones back until the Argives have sworn an oath never to attack Athens, and tells him how the oath is to be sworn over a tripod of Heracles, and she foretells that the sons of the dead, the After-born, will avenge them and take Thebes.
Euripides, Trojan Women 1–47Prologue: Poseidon bids farewell to ruined TroyPoseidon, who with Phoebus built the walls of Troy, says that he has come from the Aegean to a city that lies in ruins, with its temples forsaken and Priam dead at the altar, while the Greeks carry off the spoils. He tells how the captive women are being allotted, some to Arcadia, some to Thessaly, some to the sons of Theseus, while the rest wait in the tents, and says that he bids farewell to the city, which would still stand if Pallas had not decreed its ruin. He sees Hecuba lying at the gate, and learns that Polyxena has died and that Cassandra has been taken by Agamemnon.
Euripides, Trojan Women 966–1032Third episode: Hecuba answers HelenThe Chorus urges Hecuba to defend her children and her country, and Hecuba says that she will take up the cause of the goddesses, since she cannot believe that Hera or Athena would have behaved so foolishly. She says that Helen followed Paris of her own will, enticed by his Phrygian wealth and splendour, and that the Cypris she names is only the folly of men, and she bids Menelaus to make a law of death for all such wives.
Euripides, Rhesus 595–626Fourth episode: Athena sends them against RhesusAthena appears and tells them that Rhesus has come to aid Troy and must be killed before dawn, saying that Hector will find death at another hand. Odysseus recognizes her voice, and she tells them that Rhesus lies close by, outside the ranks, with his white horses tethered near. They agree that Diomedes will do the killing and Odysseus will master the horses.
Euripides, Children of Heracles 333–380Demophon prepares for war; the Chorus sings in defiance of ArgosDemophon says that he will muster the citizens and send scouts, and tells Iolaus to enter the house with the children. Iolaus refuses to leave the altar, and says that Athena, the goddess of Athens, will not brook defeat. The Chorus, in a song, says that Athens will not be frightened by the Argive's boasts, and warns him not to bring war against the city.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 939–988Second episode: Orestes tells of the trial at Athens and Apollo's oracleOrestes tells of the beginning of his troubles: that he killed his mother at Apollo's command, was pursued by the Furies, and was tried at Athens by the gods, and that some of them accepted the verdict while the others still pursued him. He says that the oracle told him to bring the image of Artemis from the land of the Taurians to Athens, and the Chorus says that a terrible anger from the gods has boiled up against the race of Tantalus.
Euripides, Ion 1–81Prologue: Hermes at Delphi tells of Apollo, Creusa and the hidden childHermes, whose mother Maia was a daughter of Atlas, tells how Apollo took Creusa, daughter of Erechtheus, in a cave under the cliffs of the Acropolis at Athens, and how she bore a son in secret and left him to die in the cave. At the god's request Hermes carried the child in his basket to Delphi, where the priestess reared him as a servant of the temple. He says that Creusa and her husband Xuthus are coming to consult the oracle about children, and that Apollo means to give Xuthus his own son, who will be called Ion.

18 more passages of Euripides that name Athena

Apollonius Rhodius (7)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.1–166Hera and Athena ask Cypris to make Medea love JasonThe poet calls on Erato, and Hera and Athena decide to go to Cypris to ask her to make Aeetes' daughter Medea fall in love with Jason. Cypris finds her son Eros playing dice with Ganymede, and persuades him with the promise of a ball that once belonged to Zeus.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.528–647Through the Clashing RocksAfter days of gifts from the Thynians the heroes leave Phineus' land, and Euphemus carries a dove to the Clashing Rocks. The dove passes through, losing only its tail feathers; the heroes row hard, Athena holds back one rock, and Argo comes through with only the tip of her stern ornament lost. Jason confesses his fears and the heroes cheer him.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.1–121Pelias' oracle and the catalogue of the ArgonautsThe poet invokes Phoebus and tells how Pelias, warned by an oracle to beware the man with one sandal, sends Jason after the Golden Fleece when Jason loses a sandal crossing the Anaurus. The catalogue of the Argonauts begins with Orpheus and goes on through Asterion, Polyphemus, Admetus, Mopsus, Peleus and Telamon and Tiphys, who steers the ship Athena and Argus built. It closes with Phlias and the sons of Bias from Argos.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.721–909Jason and Hypsipyle on LemnosJason puts on the purple mantle that Athena gave him, woven with scenes such as the Cyclopes at their forge, and goes to the city. Hypsipyle tells him how the women drove out the men and offers him her father's rule. The Argonauts linger on Lemnos until Heracles rebukes them, and Hypsipyle bids Jason a tearful farewell.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.234–305The Argonauts leave Iolcus; Alcimede's lamentThe heroes go through the city to the ship at Pagasae while the townspeople wonder at Pelias' purpose and the women pity Alcimede. Alcimede clings to Jason, wishing she had died before this day, and Jason comforts her and tells her to trust the oracles and Athena.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.448–558The feast, Orpheus' song and the departure from PagasaeAt the feast on the shore Idas jeers at Idmon's prophecy and Idmon answers him, and Orpheus ends the quarrel by singing of the origin of earth, sky and sea. At dawn the heroes embark, Tiphys takes the helm and Argo leaves Pagasae to the music of Orpheus' lyre while Cheiron shows Achilles to his father Peleus from the shore.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.299–438The banquet and Aeetes' demandsAt the banquet Aeetes questions his grandsons, and Argus tells how his ship was wrecked and why the Argonauts have come. Aeetes grows angry and agrees to give up the Fleece only if Jason will yoke the fire-breathing bulls, plough the field of Ares and sow the dragon's teeth, and Jason accepts.

Callimachus (1)

Callimachus, Hymns 5.1–142Hymn to Athena: the Bath of Pallas and TeiresiasThe women of Argos are summoned to the Bath of Pallas and told to bring no perfume or mirror, only plain olive oil, as Athena herself used. The poet tells how Teiresias, son of Everes, unwittingly saw Athena bathing with his mother Chariclo at the Fountain of the Horse on Helicon and was blinded. Athena tells Chariclo that this is the law of Cronus, foretells the fate of Actaeon, and promises to make Teiresias a seer who knows the birds, has a staff to guide him and keeps his understanding among the dead. The hymn closes with greetings as the goddess arrives and a prayer for Argos.

Aristophanes (7)

Aristophanes, The Knights 1111–1228bEpisode: the contest of dainties before DemusThe Chorus praise the sway of Demus, who answers that he plays the fool by design, fattening one thief at a time and then squeezing him dry. Paphlagon and the Sausage-seller race to serve him with chairs, cakes, porridge, fish and a hare, each saying that the goddess Athena sent the dish. Demus inspects the two hampers, finds the Sausage-seller's empty and Paphlagon's full of stolen dainties, and takes the crown from Paphlagon.
Aristophanes, The Knights 498–623aParabasis: the Chorus speaks for the poet, then praises Poseidon, Athena and the KnightsThe Chorus wish the Sausage-seller luck and then turn to the audience, explaining why their poet did not ask for a chorus earlier, since training a comedy is the hardest of tasks. They recall the fortunes of earlier poets, Magnes whom the audience deserted in his grey hairs, Cratinus swept along like a river and now drivelling, and Crates who held out to the end. They ask for a hearty welcome for the poet, invoke Poseidon and Pallas and praise the Knights who fought with them afloat. The Sausage-seller then returns, and the Chorus ask him to tell what happened.
Aristophanes, The Knights 973–1110bEpisode: the rival oracles of Bakis and GlanisThe Chorus sing of the day of Cleon's fall. Paphlagon reads oracles of Bakis, and the Sausage-seller reads those of Bakis's elder brother Glanis, about a dog, a lion, a wall of wood and iron, a hound-fox and an eagle, and each explains the verses in his own favour. They offer Demus rival dreams of Athena, and he gives himself over to the Sausage-seller's care. He then says that whichever of them brings him the most titbits that day will be given the Pnyx.
Aristophanes, The Knights 624–690aEpisode: the Sausage-seller reports on the CouncilThe Sausage-seller tells how he followed Paphlagon into the Council-chamber, where Paphlagon was denouncing the Knights as conspirators. He announced that pilchards were cheaper than ever, and outbid Paphlagon's offering of a hundred oxen to Athena with a promise of a thousand she-goats if the price fell further. He then bought up the leeks and coriander in the market and gave them to the Council for their fish. The Chorus congratulate him and urge him to keep up the fight.
Aristophanes, The Clouds 889–1112Agon: the Better Logic and the Worse LogicThe Right Logic and the Wrong Logic come forward and quarrel, each calling the other names, and the Right Logic argues that there is such a thing as Justice, whereupon the Wrong Logic asks why Zeus is unpunished for chaining his father. The Chorus invite each to state his case, and the Right Logic describes the old education of boys, who walked in silence to school and sat modestly, which the Wrong Logic mocks. The Wrong Logic argues that warm baths are good for the young, that chastity does a man no good, and that the audience are full of adulterers, so the Right Logic admits defeat and runs off to join them, and Strepsiades tells Socrates to flog his son and sharpen his wits for lawsuits.
Aristophanes, Birds 798–861Episode: the new wings; the city is named CloudcuckooburyPeisthetaerus and Euelpides return with wings and laugh at each other's looks, and Peisthetaerus says that the first need is a grand name for the city. Euelpides rejects Sparta, and Peisthetaerus proposes Cloudcuckoobury, which the Chorus like. Peisthetaerus would keep Athene as guardian of the city, but Euelpides objects, and the Chorus propose a Persian cockerel to hold the citadel. Peisthetaerus sends Euelpides up into the air to help with the wall and calls for a priest to sacrifice to the new gods.
Aristophanes, Plutus 1171–1209Exodos: the Priest and the closing processionA Priest of Zeus the Saviour tells Chremylus that he is starving because nobody sacrifices now, and means to give up his service and settle in the house. Chremylus tells him that Zeus himself is within, and arranges that Wealth shall be led in procession to the Treasury in Athene's temple. The Old Lady is given the pots to carry and promised a visit from her young man, and the Chorus follow the procession out.

Diodorus Siculus (5)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.3.1–5.5.3Demeter and Core in SicilyThe rape of Core is placed in the meadows of Enna, and Athena, Artemis and Core are said to have taken their portions of the island, with the springs of Himera, Arethusa and Cyane given to them by the Nymphs. Demeter, searching for her daughter, passes through many lands and gives the Athenians the first fruit of the wheat after the people of Sicily; the festivals held in Sicily of the two goddesses are described and the tragic poet Carcinus is quoted.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.55.1–5.59.6Rhodes: the Telchines, the Heliadae and later settlersThe Telchines first lived on Rhodes, followed by the children of Helius and Rhodos, the Heliadae, who are famed for their learning and for their sacrifice without fire. The historian tells of the killing of Tenages and Danaüs's visit to Lindus, and of the later settlers Phorbas, Althaemenes and Tlepolemus.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.68.1–5.72.5Zeus and the children of Cronus in CreteAccording to the Cretans the children of Cronus and Rhea discovered or introduced many arts, and the sea, the hearth and the corn belong to Poseidon, Hestia and Demeter. The historian gives the conflicting accounts of how Zeus became king, the places in Crete tied to his infancy, his benefactions to mankind and the punishment of the Giants.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.73.1–5.77.8The gods' discoveries and their Cretan originsZeus is said to have given each god a field of invention: the Muses the letters and poetry, Apollo the lyre, healing and the bow, Hermes the herald's staff, Athena the olive, and Dionysus the vine. The chapters then give an older Heracles, Artemis, Plutus, and the claim that most of the gods began in Crete and spread to other lands.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.8.1–4.10.7Heracles: birth and early deedsThe historian begins with the difficulty of reporting Heracles' deeds worthily and with the claim that myth should not be scrutinised too sharply. He traces the hero's descent from Perseus and Zeus, tells how Hera delays the birth of Heracles so that Eurystheus is born first, and how Heracles as a baby strangles the two serpents she sends. As a young man he frees Thebes from the tribute owed to Erginus king of the Minyans, kills Erginus, burns the palace of the Minyans and razes the city of the Orchomenians, and marries Megara, daughter of Creon.

Ovid (11)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.1–145Arachne and AthenaArachne, a girl of Lydia famed for her weaving, refuses to say that her skill came from Athena (Minerva) and challenges the goddess to a contest. Athena appears as an old woman and warns her, and then reveals herself, and both begin to weave. Athena's tapestry shows the contest of the gods for Athens and warnings to mortals, Arachne's the loves of the gods, and when the goddess can find no fault she tears it and strikes Arachne, who hangs herself and is turned into a spider.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 2.708–832Aglauros and EnvyHermes (Mercury) sees Herse, daughter of Cecrops, among the girls bringing offerings to Athena (Minerva), and her sister Aglauros asks for gold before she will help him. Athena, angry, goes to the dwelling of Envy and sends her to fill Aglauros with jealousy. Aglauros sits at the door to bar Hermes' way and is turned to stone.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 5.250–337Athena visits the Muses; PyreneusAthena (Minerva), having helped Perseus, visits the Muses on Mount Helicon and sees the spring that Pegasus made with his hoof. One of the Muses tells how King Pyreneus once offered them shelter in a storm and then tried to rape them, and fell to his death when he leapt from a tower thinking he could fly. The Muses then speak of the nine daughters of Pierus, who had challenged them to a singing contest, and Athena sits down to listen.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 2.527–632Coronis and the RavenThe crow warns the raven, who is flying to Apollo ('Phoebus' in More's translation) with the news that Coronis has been unfaithful, by telling him how she herself was punished for bringing a message and was changed from a girl into a bird. The raven goes on, and Apollo, enraged, kills Coronis with an arrow and then rescues the unborn Asclepius (Aesculapius) from her body. He turns the raven's white feathers black.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.663–801Perseus and AndromedaPerseus sees Andromeda, chained to a rock to be devoured by a sea-monster because her mother Cassiope boasted of her beauty. He strikes the monster from the air with his sword, kills it, and wins Andromeda, and her parents agree to the marriage. He lays the Gorgon's head on a bed of seaweed, which turns to coral, and sets up altars to Athena (Minerva), Hermes (Mercury) and Zeus (Jupiter). At the wedding feast he tells how Medusa won her serpent hair.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 3.1–137Cadmus and the DragonZeus (Jupiter) reveals himself to Europa in Crete, and her father Agenor sends his son Cadmus to look for her and not to return without her. Cadmus consults the oracle of Apollo, which tells him to follow a heifer and to found a city where she lies down. He kills the dragon of Ares (Mars), which guards a spring, and sows its teeth on Athena's (Minerva's) advice, and armed men spring up from the furrows and fight until only five are left. These help him to build Thebes, and Cadmus prospers, though his story shows that no man can be called happy before his death.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.255–381Odysseus' speech: his services at TroyOdysseus (Ulysses) lists the Trojan warriors he killed, reminds the chiefs that he carried the body of Achilles from the field, and answers the charge about Palamedes. He tells how the prophets said that Philoctetes and his arrows were needed to take Troy, and how he brought Philoctetes to the army. He says that he alone dared to enter Troy by night and take the Palladium, and he ends by asking for the arms as the reward of his mind, pointing to the image of Athena (Minerva).
Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.658–791Cephalus and ProcrisCephalus tells how he married Procris, and how Eos (Aurora), the goddess of dawn, saw him on Mount Hymettus and fell in love with him. She tried to part him from Procris by suggesting that his wife might not be true, and Cephalus, disguised, tests her and tempts her with gifts. Procris yields, and then flees in shame when he reveals himself, and the two are reconciled after she brings him gifts, a hound and a spear that never miss. The hound, chasing a monstrous fox, is turned to stone with it.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.152–263The Minotaur; Daedalus and IcarusMinos returns to Crete and shuts the Minotaur, the monster born of Pasiphae's unnatural love, in a labyrinth built by Daedalus. The Athenians pay tribute of youths and maidens until Theseus kills the monster with the help of Ariadne's thread, and Ariadne is placed among the stars as a crown. Daedalus, long exiled in Crete, makes wings of feathers and wax for himself and his son Icarus, who flies too near the sun and falls into the sea. Daedalus' nephew Perdix, whom he threw from a tower out of jealousy, is changed into a partridge, and Daedalus is received by King Cocalus in Sicily.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.264–444The Calydonian boar huntArtemis (Diana), angered at being forgotten at the harvest rites, sends a huge boar to ravage the fields of Calydon, and Meleager gathers heroes from all Greece to hunt it. The hunters include Theseus, Jason, Castor and Pollux, and the huntress Atalanta, whose beauty and skill the others admire. Atalanta first wounds the boar, and Meleager kills it, and awards the head and hide to her. Meleager's uncles, jealous of Atalanta, snatch the prize from her, and Meleager kills them in a rage.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.327–458The Lapiths and the Centaurs: the battleNestor goes on describing the fighting, in which the centaurs and Lapiths kill one another with uprooted trees, antlers, torches and altar-fires. Among the dead are the centaur Cyllarus and his mate Hylonome, a pair of lovers who die together.

Pausanias (90)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.24.1–8Athens Acropolis: Zeus Polieus, the Parthenon and Phidias’ AthenaPausanias lists sculptures on the Acropolis showing Athena and Marsyas, Theseus and the bull, Phrixus, Hercules and the serpents, and Athena’s birth, and describes the ox sacrifice to Zeus Polieus. He then describes the Parthenon: the gable sculptures, Phidias’ ivory and gold Athena with her sphinx and griffin helmet, the Victory, shield, serpent and the birth of Pandora on the pedestal. He ends with the bronze Locust Apollo.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.17.1–9Sparta: the acropolis, Athena of the Brazen House and the end of PausaniasOn the acropolis stands the sanctuary of Athena of the Brazen House, with bronze reliefs by Gitiadas, followed by the temples of Athena the Worker, Zeus Orderer and Warlike Aphrodite, and Lysander’s eagles and Victories. Pausanias also describes the oldest bronze image, a Zeus by Clearchus of Rhegium, and the two statues of Pausanias. He gives a Byzantine’s account of why the regent could not find protection there: his killing of the girl Cleonice at Byzantium.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.47.1–6Tegea: the cult image, offerings and sanctuaries of Athena AleaPausanias says the present image of Athena Alea at Tegea came from the township of Manthyrenses, where it was called Hippia, and was flanked by Aesculapius and Health by Scopas. He lists the offerings in the temple: the hide of the Calydonian boar, the fetters of Spartan prisoners, a picture of Auge and the shield of Marpessa. The altar by Melampus, the boy priest, the stadium and the games Aleaea and Halotia follow. He describes the fountain where Auge is said to have been violated, the sanctuaries of Athena Poliatis and of Artemis the Leader, and the story of Chronius and the tyrant Aristomelidas.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.28.1–11Athens: Acropolis offerings, the Areopagus and the courts of justicePausanias lists offerings on the Acropolis, including Phidias’ bronze Athena from the Marathon spoils and the Lemnian Athena, then the Pelasgian wall and a cave sanctuary of Apollo. Below it he describes the Areopagus, the sanctuary of the Venerable Ones (the Furies) and the tomb of Oedipus. He ends with the Athenian law courts, from the Parabystum and the Heliaea to the Palladium, Delphinium, Prytaneum and Phreattys, with the stories of Demophon, Theseus, the Ox-slayer’s axe and Teucer.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.26.1–8Heraea and Aliphera: Dionysus, the grave of Coroebus and the Fly-catcherPausanias describes Heraea on the Alpheus, with its riverside avenues, baths, temples of Dionysus and Pan and the ruined temple of Hera, and names Damaretus as its most famous athlete. He gives the boundary with Elis at the grave of Coroebus, winner of the first Olympic race after the revival by Iphitus. He then describes Aliphera, where Athena is said to have been born and bred, with its altar of Zeus Lecheates, its bronze Athena by Hypatodorus and its sacrifice to the Fly-catcher, and ends with Melaeneae and the springs of the Buphagus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.26.1–7Athens Acropolis: Olympiodorus, the Erechtheum and the golden lampOlympiodorus leads the Athenians to retake the Museum hill from the Macedonians, with Leocritus first over the wall, and later helps recover Piraeus and Eleusis. Pausanias then describes the Leucophryenian Artemis and Endoeus’ seated Athena, and the Erechtheum with its altars of Zeus, Poseidon, Erechtheus, Butes and Hephaestus and a well of sea-water with the mark of the trident. He ends with the ancient image of Athena and Callimachus’ golden lamp.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.20.1–9Patrae: Dionysus Aesymnetes and the sanctuaries of the market-placePausanias describes the god in the chest, Dionysus Aesymnetes, served by nine men and nine women, and the children who go down to the Milichus wreathed in corn or ivy. He lists the temples and images of Patrae: Panachaean Athena in the Laphria enclosure, Mother Dindymene and Attis, Olympian Zeus, and an Apollo with an ox skull, with Homer cited for Apollo herding cattle. He also names the Music Hall, second only to that of Herodes at Athens, the gate with statues of Patreus and Preugenes, and the Lady of the Lake brought from Sparta.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.1.1–5Attica: Sunium, Laurium and the harbours of Piraeus and PhalerumPausanias begins at Cape Sunium and sails along the Attic coast past Laurium and the island of Patroclus. He explains how Piraeus replaced Phalerum as the port of Athens under Themistocles, and describes the grave of Themistocles, the precinct of Athena and Zeus, the Long Colonnade and Conon’s sanctuary of Aphrodite at Piraeus. He also notes shrines at Munychia, Phalerum and Cape Colias, and a temple of Hera on the road to Athens said to have been burnt by Mardonius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.27.1–10Athens Acropolis: Athena Polias, the Arrephoroi, Tolmides and the bull of MarathonIn the temple of Athena Polias Pausanias lists a wooden Hermes, Daedalus’ folding chair, Persian spoils and the sacred olive, then the temple of Pandrosus and the secret night rite of the Arrephoroi. He describes figures of Erechtheus and Eumolpus, the statue of Tolmides with a summary of his campaigns, and bronze groups of Theseus lifting the rock, and of Theseus and the bull of Marathon, told through Troezenian and Cretan tales.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.42.1–7Megara: the Alcathoan acropolis, the singing stone and Memnon’s ColossusPausanias describes the acropolis named after Alcathous, with the tomb of Megareus, the hearth of the Prodomeis and the stone that sounds like a lyre. He compares it with the Colossus of Memnon at Egyptian Thebes, which sounds at sunrise. He also notes the Council House, temples of Athena and Apollo, the ebony statues, the sanctuary of Lawgiver Demeter, the tomb of Callipolis and the shrine of Ino.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.21.1–10Argos: the market-place, the death of Pyrrhus and the head of MedusaIn and around the Argive market-place Pausanias notes the tomb of Cerdo, a temple of Asclepius, the tomb of Hypermnestra, the sanctuary of Trumpet Athena and the grave of Epimenides. He describes the marble building where Pyrrhus was cremated, the mound said to hold the Gorgon’s head with two rationalising accounts of Medusa, and the grave of Gorgophone. He ends with the stone trophy over the tyrant Laphaes and the sanctuary of Latona with the story of Chloris.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.15.1–11Sparta: heroes’ shrines, Hercules and Hippocoon, Enyalius in fetters and MorphoPausanias lists the shrine of Cynisca, the heroes’ shrines behind the colonnade, the tomb of Alcman and the sanctuaries of Helen and Hercules, and tells how Hercules came to punish Hippocoon’s sons after the death of Oeonus. He also describes Athena Serve-them-right, the temple of Hipposthenes, the fettered Enyalius, Hera Goat-eating, and the temple of armed Aphrodite with its upper storey sacred to Morpho, whose fetters he does not take to be a punishment.

78 more passages of Pausanias that name Athena

Quintus Smyrnaeus (14)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 12.117–213Epeius builds the Wooden HorseEpeius tells the Argives his dream, and Ida's pines are cut and hauled to the Hellespont, where in three days he builds the Wooden Horse and Athena makes it a marvel. While Zeus is away at the Ocean, the gods take sides and fight beside the Xanthus until he returns in anger. Themis warns them to stop fighting for the sake of mortals.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 12.1–116Odysseus plans the Wooden HorseCalchas assembles the chiefs and tells of a falcon that waited in vain by the cleft in the rock where a dove had hidden. Odysseus proposes building a great horse in which the best of the Argives will hide. Neoptolemus objects, but Zeus's thunderbolt falls, and Athena appears to Epeius in a dream and tells him to build.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 12.346–443Sinon and LaocoonAt dawn the Trojans see the smoke and the empty shore, and find the Horse and Sinon, whom they question and torture. Laocoon warns them and urges that the Horse be burned. Athena, angered, shakes the earth under him and torments his eyes.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 5.333–455The madness of AiasThetis and the Nereids plunge back into the sea, where Cymothoe curses Prometheus. Aias, furious at the verdict, will not eat or sleep and arms himself in the night, and Athena strikes him with madness to spare Odysseus. Menelaus fears for the army, but Aias slaughters the flocks in the plain, thinking them Argives, and taunts a slain ram as if it were Odysseus.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 11.283–357Athena turns the battleAthena comes into the fight for the Greeks, and Aphrodite snatches Aeneas from the field in a mist. The Trojans are broken and flee, and a remnant enters the city. At dawn the Argive chiefs attack the gates of Troy.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 12.444–585Laocoon's sons and CassandraLaocoon still urges the burning of the Horse, and Athena sends two serpents from the island of Calydna that kill his sons. The Trojans make offerings, but the flames die and the temples sweat blood. Cassandra alone sees the truth and runs at the Horse with a firebrand and a two-edged halberd, and the Trojans drag her away.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 13.415–563Troy burns; Aethra rescuedThe gods mourn Troy, all but Hera and Athena, though Athena turns away in anger as Aias son of Oileus outrages Cassandra in her temple. Fire destroys the city and Trojans die in their burning houses, and the glow is seen from Ida and Tenedos. Aethra is found by her grandsons Demophoon and Acamas, who promise to take her home to Greece. Laodice is swallowed by the earth, and the Pleiad Electra hides herself from sight.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 14.419–547Athena's stormAs the Argives near Euboea, Athena asks Zeus for vengeance on Aias son of Oileus and for the storm that follows. Zeus gives her his thunder and lightning, and she puts on the Aegis and darkens sea and sky. Her thunderbolt breaks Aias' ship and drowns its crew, and captive women drag Danaans down with them.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.1–133Penthesileia comes to TroyAfter Hector's funeral the Trojans cower in Priam's city, afraid of Achilles. Penthesileia arrives from the Thermodon, longing for battle and fleeing the reproach of her own people, and the Trojans take heart. Andromache, hearing the queen's boasts, murmurs that she is no match for Achilles. At night Athena sends Penthesileia a deceitful dream.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 7.556–734Neoptolemus is honoured at the feastAthena comes down to Sigeum to watch Neoptolemus, who kills the twin sons of Meges, Celtus and Eubius, and many more. At nightfall the Argives honour him with gifts and a feast, and Agamemnon praises him as his father's image. Meanwhile the Trojans in their camp praise Eurypylus.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 9.321–443Philoctetes on LemnosOn Calchas' advice the Argives draw back, for Troy cannot fall until Philoctetes comes. Diomedes and Odysseus sail to Lemnos and find him in his cave, wounded and clothed in feathers. He aims at them with his bow, and then they win him over and carry him to the ship.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 14.548–658The wreck of the Argive fleetAias swims on through the storm until Poseidon splits the rock and buries him. The fleet is wrecked, and Nauplius lures some ships on to the rocks with a false beacon. Poseidon, Zeus and Apollo then flood the Argive wall at Troy, and the survivors go home as heaven guides them.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.514–581Achilles' body is washedAt nightfall Nestor tells Agamemnon what to do for the body. Water is heated, and Achilles is washed and dressed, and Athena pours ambrosia on him so that he looks as if asleep. The captive women, and above all Briseis, lament him.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 5.456–567The death of AiasAthena clears his mind, and Aias sees the dead sheep and, knowing that the gods have cheated his senses, thrusts Hector's sword into his throat. Teucer wants to die with him and is held back. Tecmessa, his captive-bride, wails over the body, and Agamemnon promises her that no man shall make her a slave while he and Teucer live.

Nonnus of Panopolis (39)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 24.242–348Book 24: Leucos sings of Aphrodite at Athena's loomLeucos sings how Aphrodite took up Athena's loom, so that marriage and birth failed throughout the world. Athena complains to the gods and Hermes mocks Aphrodite, telling her to go back to her girdle, which she does. The army then sleeps, guarded by leopards, lions and hounds.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 4.382–463Book 4: Athena aids Cadmos; the sown men destroy one anotherAthena appears and tells Cadmos to kill the serpent and sow its teeth. Cadmos kills the dragon with a stone and a knife and sows the teeth, and armed men spring up out of the furrow. At Athena's counsel he throws a stone among them, and they destroy one another.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 27.241–341Book 27: Zeus' council of the gods on OlymposOn Olympos Zeus appeals to Apollo, Athena and Hephaistos to defend Dionysos, reminding each of their ties to him, and complains that Hera, Athena and Ares seem to side with Deriades. The gods depart: Apollo, Athena and Hephaistos go to help Dionysos, while Hera leads Ares and Hydaspes to the other side, with Deo supporting her.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 40.0–95Book 40: Deriades is killed in the HydaspesAthena, taking the shape of Morrheus, shames the fleeing Deriades into turning back to fight. At the river Hydaspes, where his father the river-god roars in support, Dionysos hurls his thyrsus and just grazes the Indian chief's skin. Struck with the ivy-cluster, Deriades slips headfirst into his father's flood and bridges the whole stream with his long body.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 8.0–121Book 8: Semele's pregnancy; Ares threatens to leave heavenSemele grows heavy with child and is carried off by every strain of pipes and cymbals in the hills. Envy, jealous of the unborn Dionysos, stirs up Ares, who complains of Zeus's loves and says he will leave Olympos for Thrace. Hera, still angry, meets Deceit near Mount Dicte.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 36.0–95Book 36: Dionysos recovers; the gods take sidesThe armies form up and the Olympians divide into two parties. Athena wounds Ares, Hera overcomes Artemis with a cloud and a lump of hail and mocks her, and Apollo prepares to fight Poseidon.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 37.236–421Book 37: The chariot race: Erechtheus passes Scelmis; Actaion upsets PhaunosThe race begins, and Scelmis in his sea-horse chariot leads at first. Erechtheus, praying to Athena, overtakes him on the last lap. Actaion upsets Phaunos' chariot by a trick, and Achates taunts Phaunos as he catches up.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 30.243–326Book 30: Athena shames Dionysos back into the fightDeriades presses forward as Dionysos withdraws, until Athena, sent by Zeus, shames him for fleeing, comparing him with Perseus and Aiacos, and urges him back to the battle. Inspired, Dionysos kills and wounds many Indians and scatters several tribes, and the Indians fall back.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 45.0–95Book 45: Agaue runs to the mountain; Pentheus rebukes TeiresiasAutonoe and Agaue, maddened by Dionysos, rush to the hills to join the Bacchic dance, and Agaue swears she will defy Pentheus. The hills ring with the revels of Thebes' women. Pentheus meets the garlanded Teiresias and angrily accuses him of lying oracles and taking Lydian gold, arguing that Dionysos, with his horns and fawnskin, cannot be a son of Zeus.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 5.0–121Book 5: Cadmos founds Thebes and its seven gatesCadmos sacrifices the cow to Athena, fights the neighbouring peoples and lays out the city of Thebes with seven gates named for the seven planets. Harmonia's wedding is celebrated with dances, music and the gods' attendance, and Zeus sits at the same table as Cadmos.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 5.280–408Book 5: Actaion among his dogsAutonoe and Aristaios have a son, Actaion, a hunter who spies on Artemis bathing. The goddess turns him into a stag, and his own dogs tear him to pieces while he keeps his human mind and laments. Autonoe searches the hills and does not know his remains.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 16.71–227Book 16: Dionysos woos Nicaia and is refusedDionysos sees Nicaia's colours in the flowers of a meadow and offers to carry her hunting gear, spread her bed with fawnskins under a vine, and give her dogs, handmaids and the Graces as servants. Nicaia answers that he must first win Athena or Artemis, her comrades, and threatens to chain him as the sons of Iphimedeia chained Ares. Left behind, Dionysos talks to the hound Pan gave him and promises to make it a star near Seirios if it will track the girl.

27 more passages of Nonnus of Panopolis that name Athena

Bacchylides (1)

Bacchylides, Dithyrambs 15.1–16.35Dithyrambs 15–16: the sons of Antenor; Heracles and DeianeiraTheano, priestess of Athena, opens the temple doors to the Greek envoys Odysseus and Menelaus, and the sons of Antenor lead them to the Trojan assembly, where Menelaus speaks of Insolence and Justice. In the next song the poet prays to Apollo, and sings how Heracles, after burning Oechalia, sacrifices at the cape of Cenaean Zeus. A god then weaves a cruel device for Deianeira when she learns that Iole is to come to the house as a bride, and she takes the fatal gift of Nessus.

Epic Cycle (3)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 8.1–8Sack of IliumProclus' summary tells how the Trojans debated what to do with the wooden horse, some wishing to hurl it from the rocks, some to burn it and some to dedicate it to Athena. The fragments say that one Palladium was given to Dardanus, that Astyanax was hurled from the wall, and that Agamemnon gave gifts to the sons of Theseus. One fragment describes the gifts of the Earth-Shaker to Machaon and Podaleirius.
Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 9.1–10.2Returns and TelegonyProclus' summary of the Returns begins with Athena causing a quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus about the voyage from Troy. The fragments mention Medea and Aeson, Heracles at Themiscyra, and Telemachus marrying Circe. The Telegony, in two books, has Odysseus sailing to Elis after the suitors are buried, and the author says that Odysseus had a son Telegonus by Calypso.
Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 7.1–26Little IliadProclus' summary of the Little Iliad begins with the judging of the arms of Achilles, which Odysseus wins, and the madness and death of Aias. Philoctetes is brought from Lemnos, Eurypylus is killed by Neoptolemus and Epeius builds the wooden horse. The fragments give the girls' quarrel over Aias and Odysseus, Achilles at Scyros, the golden vine given to Laomedon for Ganymedes, and the death of Astyanax.

Lycophron (1)

Lycophron, Alexandra 252–405Alexandra 252–405: The fall of Troy's defenders, Cassandra's own seizure, and the wreck of the Greek fleetCassandra hears lamentation from the towers and foresees an eagle snatching up the dearest nursling of her brothers; his slayer, called a trafficker in corpses, is said to hide in a woman's robe at the loom and to cower even in sleep before her brother's spear. She mourns the destruction of that brother, 'a pillar of our house', and foretells the burning of the Dorian host among their ships, then grieves for a young man's death, a victim slaughtered at a marriage sacrifice, and an aged captive stoned to death. She herself, who refused the god Thoraios and took Pallas as her model, will be haled like a dove into the vulture's eyrie, and the goddess in her shrine will turn her eyes to the ceiling in anger. For one man's sin Hellas will mourn thousands of empty tombs, and the returning ships will break on named cliffs, one man being struck down by a three-taloned spear and cast up dead on the shore.

Orpheus (attributed) (1)

Orpheus (attributed), Orphic Hymns 32–36Hymns 32-36: Pallas, Victory, Apollo, Latona, DianaPallas (Athena) is hailed as the fierce daughter of Zeus who roused the Phlegraean giants to flight, and Victory as the goddess whom men desire in battle. The longest hymn of the group invokes Apollo as Paean, the healer and slayer of Tityus, who tunes the music of the universe on his lyre. Latona and Diana follow, the latter as the torch-bearing Dictynna who presides over births.

Parthenius of Nicaea (1)

Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 26.1–28.1Apriate and Trambelus; Alcinoe; Clite and CyzicusTrambelus, son of Telamon, throws Apriate of Lesbos into the sea when she resists his ambush, and later, wounded in battle against Achilles, is mourned by him with a great barrow. Alcinoe, punished by Athena for cheating the spinner Nicandra, sails away with the stranger Xanthus and, repenting, throws herself into the sea. Clite, newly married to Cyzicus, hangs herself after he is killed fighting the heroes who sailed with Jason.

Athena in the ancient sources

Hesiod (9)

Homer (99)

Apollodorus (15)

Pindar (5)

Aeschylus (15)

Sophocles (5)

Euripides (30)

Apollonius Rhodius (7)

Callimachus (1)

Aristophanes (7)

Diodorus Siculus (5)

Ovid (11)

Pausanias (90)

Quintus Smyrnaeus (14)

Nonnus of Panopolis (39)

Bacchylides (1)

Epic Cycle (3)

Lycophron (1)

Orpheus (attributed) (1)

Parthenius of Nicaea (1)