Birth of Athena: A Clever Strategy?
Posted on | December 22, 2008 |
- For more information about Athena see also: Olympian Gods - Athena
The myth of the birth of Athena was not just an engaging and extraordinary fragment of Greek mythology. It was also an effective strategy of the Mycenaean to prevail over the older matriarchal culture of the native Minoans in Crete, resulting to a distinctly patriarchal* system . To think of Athena as instrumental in ushering in a patriarchal and even misogynistic society is difficult to comprehend. Athena, after all, is the classic image of a strong woman. She is the goddess of wisdom, as well as the goddess of war. She should be the champion of feminists. But a deeper investigation of the myth of her birth reveals that Athena was an effective figurative weapon wielded by the conquering Mycenaeans to completely overcome the Minoans.
The intriguing matriarchal culture of Minoans
At the zenith of ancient Greek civilization, only an insignificant number of Minoans clung to their original matriarchal culture. Homer, in his epic poem Odysseus, referred to these stubborn Minoans as the “brave Eteocretans,”** people who speak a barbaric language. The fact that the original inhabitants of Crete, the Minoans, had been labeled as barbarians is not just ironic. It is the tragic result of a well-calculated scheme of misogynistic peoples. And it should raise suspicions about the famed culture of ancient Greece and her extensive mythology.
A quick review of history will provide a good perspective about the myth of Athena’s birth. Based on the works of several Greek poets, the existence of heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Agamemnon was placed during the Mycenaean civilization, between 1900 and 1100 BCE. In fact, the mythical Trojan War supposedly happened in 1250 BCE. This theory is plausible because the Mycenaeans were known for their militaristic culture. There are several kingdoms, such as Mycenae, Thebes, Tiryns, and Athens that are intermittently at war with each other. To protect the kingdoms, the Mycenaean constructed sophisticated bridges, fortified walls, and temples***.
The remains of these structures continued to impress modern engineers. But the remains of the earlier Bronze Age civilization, the Minoans, were even more impressive. The ruins at Knossos, which were excavated in 1900 by Arthur Evans, an English archaeologist, showed that the noble class of Minoans lived in palace-like communal dwellings****. The frescoes and the architecture suggested an advanced knowledge in engineering, but the Minoans appeared to have no sophisticated weaponry. And one of the most surprising discoveries of all is that women in Minoan art are shown as actively participating in violent sports, such as boxing and bull jumping. Minoan women are also involved in government administration and in economic trade.
Intrigued by the seemingly equal treatment of men and women in ancient Minoan civilization, historians and archaeologists attempted to decipher their ancient language that is inscribed on clay tablets. The inscriptions are simply called Linear A text. Investigations revealed that although kings ruled Minoans, the lineage of rulers is based on the queens’ families. That is, the next king will be the spouse of the present king’s daughter*****. The Minoan culture is matriarchal and influenced by goddesses.
Transition from Minoans to Mycenaeans
The matrilineal orientation of Minoans is in stark contrast with that of the invading Mycenaeans, who believed there were too many Minoan goddesses, such as Pasiphae, Europa, and Atanapotinija. The last one, Atanapotinija, translates into Mistress Athena. She is a sun goddess that was worshipped by the people from North Africa who came to Crete in 4,000 BC****** . Instead of forbidding the worship of goddesses, the Mycenaeans wisely adopted the Minoan culture and slowly transformed it to suit the patriarchal society. Atanapotinija was given a family background. She acquired a father named Zeus.
The intriguing birth of Athena
According to the Mycenaean myth, Zeus consorted with a female Titan named Metis. She is a goddess of knowledge and wisdom. But Zeus learned of a prophecy that Metis, after giving birth to a girl, would give birth to a boy who is destined to defeat Zeus. With his experience of dethroning his own father still fresh on his mind, Zeus would do anything to prevent the prophecy. Metis must not have a child. And so Zeus wielded his godly power and swallowed Metis. But he forgot to consider the possibility that Metis might already be pregnant. In fact, Metis was pregnant when her traitorous consort suddenly gobbled her up. Inside of Zeus, Metis continued to nourish Athena.
When Athena is ready, Zeus began to suffer excruciatingly painful headaches. One of Zeus’ sons, Hermes the messenger god, had enough insight to realize that the source of Zeus’ headaches can be removed if his head is opened. Another son, Hephaestus, the armorer of gods, took a wedge and opened Zeus’ skull. Suddenly, a full-grown woman, shouting a war cry, sprang out. She is fully armored and carried an aegis, which is a special shield that is shared only with Zeus. As time passed by, the myth of Athena’s birth was shortened.
The patriarchal Mycenaeans and their influence on Athena
Today, Athena is known as the goddess of wisdom and war. She is also the favorite daughter of Zeus, the supreme Olympian god. The part of the myth that Metis, a powerful Titan, nurtured Athena is often omitted. Some people would assume that Athena was born without a mother. How would this affect the matrilineal Minoan culture that is struggling against the more militarily powerful patriarchal Mycenaeans?
The fact that Athena is a powerful goddess of war should appease the Minoans who worshipped and held goddesses in the highest regard. But Athena is still beholden to her father, Zeus. On the other hand, Zeus’ authority is never endangered by Athena’s gender******* . After all, unlike her sisters Aphrodite, Irene, and the muses, Athena never really showed feminine attributes. She didn’t have a consort. And it was Zeus who bestowed powers on Athena.
Notes:
*Harrison, Jane Ellen. Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion. London. Merlin Press, 1980.
**Homer. Odysseus. Trans. Samuel Butler. Orange Street Press Classics, 1998. 235
***Hemingway, Colette and Sean Hemingway. “Mycenaean Civilization”. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. October 2003. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/myce/hd_myce.htm
****Bourbon, Fabio. Lost Civilizations. New York. Barnes and Noble, Inc., 1998. 30-35
Hooker, Richard. “Women in Minoan Culture”. The Minoans. Washington State University. 1996. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MINOA/WOMEN.HTM
******Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths. New York. Penguin Non Classics, 1993. 8
*******Powers, Meredith. The Heroine in Western Literature: The Archetype and her Reemergence in Modern Prose. Jefferson, NC. McFarland & Company, 2000.
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April 22nd, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Keep up the good work.