The Triumph of Athena
The rise of the Greek goddess in the cultural consciousness of the Western civilization
While on a walking tour with friends in Athens in May 2022, we heard a story passed down through oral tradition. According to Greek mythology, the rock that would later become the Acropolis of Athens was the site of a contest between Athena and Poseidon to be the patron of the surroundings.
Both deities were considered by the local population as two of the Olympic gods. Athena was said to be born as an armored female adult from the head of Zeus, signifying her strength and bravery, ready to defend all she deemed just.
Despite her warrior nature, Athena showed up with an olive tree, which would provide nourishment and precious oil to the area’s inhabitants. With a stunning trident strike, the mighty Poseidon summoned a saltwater spring from the verdant landscape.
The legend says the people deemed Athena’s gift more valuable than Poseidon’s offer of non-drinkable water. A surplus of salty water wasn't a great thing, as they were already based near the Port of Piraeus at the Saronic Gulf, just a few kilometers away. Athena won, and the capital city we know today as Athens was named after her.
