Athena is the goddess of wisdom, crafts and war. Her equivalent in Roman mythology is Minerva. Athena is also the patron of the Greek capital Athens, named in honour of her. Zeus swallowed her mother, Metis, before Athena was born. Hence she was born inside Zeus’ head. After complaining of excruciating headaches, Zeus asked his son Hephasteus to crack his head open and Athena burst forth from it.
In an ancient myth, Athena was said to have transformed the Gorgon, Medusa, into a monster. Athena did so as Medusa had been disrespectful in her temple.
Olive branches are sacred to Athena.
