Athena, daughter of Zeus, was the goddess of intelligence, wisdom, resourcefulness and strategic thought. She was also the protectress of women and of female crafts such as weaving.

Zeus discovered that Metis, the goddess of intelligence, was pregnant with his child. Fearing that the child would be superior to him, he turned Metis into a fly, and swallowed her. Nine months later, Zeus had a terrible migraine, and summoned his son Hephaistos, who promptly took his axe, cut open Zeus' head, and out popped baby Athena. His brainchild. Fully formed in miniature, and armed for combat, with her helmet, shield, and spear. With her father, she later shared the aegis, the snake-fringed cloak with the image of the head of Medusa in its centre, after Athena had helped Jason to decapitate her.

Following a contest with her uncle, Poseidon, she became the patron goddess of Athens, to which she gave her name and the gift of the olive. Athena (also Athene) favoured the heroes Herakles, Jason, Achilles, Perseus and Odysseus, and was associated with Nike, the winged goddess of achievement and victory.

Her symbols are the owl and the olive.

Symbol of Athena, who was the goddess of wisdom, intelligence and resourcefulness. She was also the patron deity of Athens, the city to which she gave her name and the gift of the olive.

The owl was frequently depicted in the art and coinage of the city, especially from the 6th century BCE onwards.