Art History Athena God from Ancient Greece The Greek virgin goddess Athena, later called Minerva by the Romans, was the goddess of wisdom, war, purity, practical reason, crafts and was the protector of cities. Other names Minerva was known by were; Pallas Athene, Kore and Parthenos, all of these titles allude to her maidenhood. Minerva is known as the protectress of the city of Athens. She was awarded protectress after she won a competition against …showed first 75 words of 280 total…

…showed last 75 words of 280 total…thunderbolts, and she alone was able to wear his aegis, a goatskin breastplate. In art Minerva is often sculpted or put on vase paintings. A lot of the time she is shown in full armor, carrying a spear, and wearing an aegis that is fringed with snakes that produce thunderbolts when it is shaken. She is also identified as Athena Nike and then she is depicted with wings and is the goddess of victorious battle.