A Quarrel With Poseidon
The land of Athens was one of particular interest to many gods and goddesses, and they would be very charitable upon the land. During the ruling of King Kekrops, a dispute had arisen between Athena and her uncle, Poseidon, over who would have possession of Athens. So they decided to compete for the protection and possession of the city; whoever offered the most beneficial gift to the city would gain ownership and rule of the land. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident, and a saltwater spring gushed up from the rock and (as some stories say) the first horse came from the blow as well. Athena offered an olive tree that sprouted on Acropolis. The gift that was favored was Athena's, for an olive tree would produce food and shade, whereas a saltwater spring proved to be of no practical use. Athena then became the official patroness of Athens.
Temple of Athena Nike(Parthenon) Located on the southwest corner of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike was placed in a strategic position to protect the Acropolis from attack. The Temple was built after the Athens conquered the Spartans, a blessing from Athena. To thank her for this success, a temple was built in her honor. The creation of this temple helped to procure Athena's position as the patron goddess of Athens, a position fought for between Athena and Poseidon (see Athena's Story above). The original temple built for Athena was unfortunately destroyed during a Persian attack during
|
480 B.C., making the temple we see today merely a replica of the original. The temple is considered to be the first building to fall into the ionic design. This is significant, because it is the beginning of the shift in Greek architecture to something with a more Roman influence.
Picture Citationshttp://www.google.com/searchhl=en&g
bv=2&w=402&h http://www.google.com/imgresq=athen a+goddess+of+wisdom http://www.google.com/imgresq=athen a&hl=en&gbv=2&sig=10155710595019 483773 http://www.google.com/imgresq=owl& hl=en&gbv=2&sig=1015571059501948 43773&biw=1280&bih=-7oDbKADp-3-M:&imgrefurl=http://curiousanimals http://www.google.com/imgresq=temple+of+athena&hl=en&gbv=2sig=101557105 950194843773&temple-of-athena.jpg http://www.google.com/imgresq=parthenon&hl=en&gbv=2&sig=10155710595019 4843773&biw=1280&bih=619&tbm=isch&tbnid=2RgGTJpZbNoo1M:&imgrefurl For More on Athena | Works Cited -Ortengren, Annie. "Athena." Sweet Briar College { History of Art Program }. 1998. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.
-Tuccinardi, Ryan. "Athena." Encyclopedia Mythica. 3 Mar. 1997. Web. 13 Feb. 2012."The Greek Goddess Athena - Fast -Facts on Athena - Greek Mythology - Athene."Greece Travel - Travel to Greece and the Greek Islands. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. -"Athena." Encyclopedia Mythica: Mythology, Folklore, and Religion. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/a thena.html. -"Athena - Profile of the Greek Goddess Athena." About.com Ancient / Classical History. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/ grecoromanmyth1/p/Athena.htm>. |