Ancient Olympus ... Whom do we of its inhabitants know? An ordinary person except Zeus or Jupiter can name. However, the Romans and Greeks populated their sky with a huge number of patrons and overlords. Do you know who Minerva is? What was this goddess disposing of? In what cases was she contacted? Let's deal in detail with this extraordinary character. Perhaps you will agree with the opinion of the ancient peoples that the goddess of wisdom Minerva is the most respected and revered in mythology.
Whose Greek or Roman is it?
This question, perhaps, will be asked by any person who is interested in Minerva. The goddess appears in the mythology of both named peoples. Only the ancient Greeks called her Athena. The rest of the images echoed among themselves. The Roman goddess Minerva was initially devoid of militancy. She was considered the patroness of people in creative professions. These included artisans and philosophers, poets and sculptors. Craftswomen also went to her for inspiration. Minerva - the goddess of female needlework, believed the ancient Roman women. However, the Greeks worshiped her bright image. They built the temples of Minerva, calling it Athena. They revered the goddess for wisdom, justice and judgment. In addition, she, according to the inhabitants of ancient Greece, protected cities and states, gave ideas and thoughts to scientists, and her creative abilities to artisans.
The legend of how Minerva was born
A goddess with such extraordinary talents could not be born as a mere mortal. Her story is full of barbaric charm and treachery. It is believed that Minerva is the beloved daughter of Zeus. And he spawned it himself, in an unusual and perverse way. Moira whispered to him that his own son from the wise Metis would cause his death. Zeus did not like this turn of events, of course. Those soothsayers warned him that Metis was pregnant. Diverse twins of strength and extraordinary mind should appear in the light. Without thinking twice, Zeus swallowed his wife. After a certain time, a severe headache began to torment him. To get rid of her, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to cut his skull. From the father’s head, Minerva appeared to the world, the goddess of warriors and just warriors. She was fully armed and wearing a helmet.
Symbols of Minerva
This goddess gave mankind many attributes, and now flaunting on coats of arms and banners. So, the olive branch personifies justice and quiet development, people's desire for peace. The goddess Minerva is also associated with an owl. This is a symbol of wisdom among many nations. An owl observes more than fusses, does not take rash actions. The power of the goddess is represented by a huge snake. She was depicted in temples, on frescoes, household items. It was believed that the building where this image is present is protected by the goddess Minerva. Since she was ranked among the most powerful inhabitants of heaven, many worshiped her. Her image could be found in almost any home. Artisans expected her help in her labors, statesmen longed for patronage in political intrigues. And women looked in her image for success in their household chores. In ancient Greece, her images in the temples were of two kinds. Pallas was considered an invincible warrior. Polyad was also the defender of cities and states, a kind of judge and prosecutor in one person.
Miracles and Minerva
The warrior goddess was often embodied in marble and wood. The name "palladium" came from this sculptural work. In fact, this is a wooden image of a divine warrior. People believed (and even today many believe in it) that it has miraculous properties. Such an image defended the legendary Troy. Everyone sincerely believed in the legend of the divine origin of palladium there. Minerva herself allegedly gave it to the city. The goddess of war, unfortunately, did not save Troy from falling. The magic palladium was transported to Rome and placed in the Temple of Vesta. Since then, it is believed that he is there, protecting the inhabitants of the Eternal City from all sorts of troubles.
Ancient Roman goddess Minerva
There is such a thing as a “capitol triad”. It means the main Roman gods. These include Minerva. She was revered in the Capitol along with Juno and Jupiter. So to speak, having moved to Rome, Minerva loses part of his militancy. She was considered the patroness of all kinds of crafts, needlework and arts in this city. When a person begins to understand, Minerva, the goddess of which in Ancient Rome, is faced with a whole list of professionals who considered her their guardian. She was worshiped by artists, musicians, teachers and poets. As in Athens, women always brought her image to the house. Minerva patronized them at the time of engaging in creative activities or needlework. But the warriors did not forget about the goddess. She was depicted on shields and armor as a talisman from evil. Today, such artifacts can be seen in museums.
Image of Minerva
The warrior had several mandatory attributes. The goddess Minerva (photo) was introduced to the public as a woman warrior. In her hands there was always a spear with which she was born. The head, as a rule, was decorated with a red helmet. In addition, an owl and a snake were depicted nearby. These were her personal characters. The owl spoke of the thoughtfulness and attentiveness of a resident of heaven. She also told the man that Minerv could not be deceived. And in case of such an attempt - unsuccessful, as the image promised - in the hands or on the helmet there was a snake. She promised a fair and inevitable punishment for a sinner or a villain. It should be noted that she was honored not for her severe temper, but for her love of the beautiful. Any talented person, as the ancient people were sure, could hope for her special attitude and indispensable help in her work.
Holidays in honor of the goddess
People gathered for the celebrations dedicated to Minerva in late March. They lasted for five whole days, and the name was "quinquatria." Representatives of all professions attended by the goddess took part in the festivities. Particularly pleased with such events students. It was a kind of vacation. On the first day of the quinquatorium, the students were ordered not to study, but to pay their teacher for the work. Interestingly, no military operations were carried out during the described period. If they started earlier, then they must be interrupted.
All citizens were supposed to honor the goddess, make sacrifices and, along with other people, celebrate. By the way, Minerva did not demand bloody alms. She donated cakes, flavored with butter and honey. The trumpeters were especially fond of these celebrations. It was a highly respected profession in ancient Rome. Its representatives accompanied all significant events (funerals, rites and ceremonies). At the end of the quinquatriums, the trumpeters blessed their instruments.
The first creative association
Such, as it is believed, is a college of writers and actors, created in Rome back in two hundred and seventh year BC. Then the honor in the city was enjoyed by Livy Andronic, poet and writer of plays. He decided to unite colleagues around the temple of Minerva. She also became their patroness and inspirer. Later, other peaceful professionals began to worship her. Among them indicate doctors and musicians, teachers and needlewomen. So if you hear the question: “Minerva is the goddess of what?”, Do not get lost. We can say that it patronizes the soldiers-liberators (justice) and the social sphere. There will be no errors in this.
Gladiator games
Rome could not have gained its unfading glory, if not for its traditions. In honor of Minerva, gladiatorial battles were always held there. It was the goddess of beauty. Ancient people considered strength and dexterity to be outstanding qualities, no worse than works of art. Interestingly, the winners of the competition were presented with special amphoras. They were made for this celebration. Amphorae were decorated with scenes of the competitions themselves and the figure of Minerva. They were filled, as a rule, with oil. Do you understand where the cups that are now accepted came from? It is from those ancient traditions that existed before our era. In Athens, Minerva was presented with precious fabrics created by the hands of famous townspeople. A solemn procession delivered them to the temple.
Features of the Ancient Greek Minerva
We will call the goddess Athena. In principle, this is one and the same. The Greeks revered her as the founder of the Areopagus. That was the name of the highest state court of Athens. Minerva (Athena) is credited with the invention of ships and the construction of the first chariot. It was believed that it was this deity who gave people pipes and flutes, taught to make ceramic dishes and spin. She told how to cook food. Many legends about Athena have survived to this day. She is involved in the feat of Prometheus and the struggle of Hercules with a giant and Stiffali birds. And Perseus without her spear could not cope with Medusa Gorgon. Minerva also has victims. So, according to legend, she turned Princess Arachne into a spider. Tiresias generally lost his sight because he saw Minerva naked while bathing. Then the goddess took pity on him and endowed him with a prophetic gift. The Athenians loved the festivities dedicated to this deity. People whose fields were neighbors gathered together and had banquets. Sacrifice was obligatory. Scones and honey were carried to the temple.
Disputes of the gods
People in antiquity endowed the celestials with their own ideas about good and evil. This is clearly seen in the study of Greek mythology. The deeds of the gods are curious to observe from the point of view of the present, by no means perfect morality. Just the deprivation of vision of Tiresias - think, admired the beauty of a unique young and beautiful body! Even ancient people believed that the gods fought for their attention. So, the celestials argued about in honor of whom the main city of ancient Greece would be named. They staged a kind of contest. In it, Minerva opposed Poseidon. Judged by their twelve deities, led by Zeus. Poseidon is credited with creating a horse. According to other sources, he created a salty spring in the rocks with the blow of a trident. Minerva gave the people olive groves. They turned out to be more valuable in the eyes of people. The city was named after her - Athens.
Bottom line: to whom did Minerva patronize?
Surely it is rather difficult for a layman to understand her preferences. What to do? In ancient times, such a clear division into professions did not exist. This goddess was worshiped by doctors and teachers, artists and artisans. To her, for blessing, came those who had the share of arranging urban life. Warriors of all nations, too, did not forget about Minerva. She took care of a peaceful life and came to the rescue in the days of battles. The main thing that distinguishes it from other deities is the concern for the territory and the people living in it. Perhaps it is the first known symbol of normal state power. Or in another way, people's dreams of such. In any case, her image united and supported the townspeople during times of danger or battles. Therefore, the glory of the goddess of a just war was entrenched to Minerva.