The Greeks say Athena leaped fully formed formed from the head of Zeus, so it was only a matter of time before Minerva did the same for the Romans from the head of Jupiter. Whichever the father, Metis was the mother, goddess of wisdom, who naturally had to be turned to a fly and swallowed immediately following Olympian coitus. By rite or rote, Minerva/Athena became goddess of wisdom, reason and deep thought. So why did she also become the goddess of warriors and their petty squabbles? Throw in medicine, weaving, poetry, commerce and make her the inventor of music and presto! you have the Ben Franklin of Greco-Roman godcraft. No wonder she caused headaches.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Minerva
The Greeks say Athena leaped fully formed formed from the head of Zeus, so it was only a matter of time before Minerva did the same for the Romans from the head of Jupiter. Whichever the father, Metis was the mother, goddess of wisdom, who naturally had to be turned to a fly and swallowed immediately following Olympian coitus. By rite or rote, Minerva/Athena became goddess of wisdom, reason and deep thought. So why did she also become the goddess of warriors and their petty squabbles? Throw in medicine, weaving, poetry, commerce and make her the inventor of music and presto! you have the Ben Franklin of Greco-Roman godcraft. No wonder she caused headaches.
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