Who wouldn’t be captivated by the Homeric rendition of the Goddess Athena? (-or this fabulous 6th-c BCE painting of her on display at the New York Met?) The Ancient Goddess of wisdom got away with behaviors completely off-limits to actual Athenian women during the city’s 5th-century “golden age,” when those born with XX chromosomes were expected to marry by age 15, remain uneducated, and basically be trad-wives for their 30+ year old husbands. But Athena was the opposite — active in all ways, including tactical warfare (this her armor, shield, and weapons). When Athena wanted, she could take on the shape of another person, even if they were a man. Better yet, her intelligence was central to her identity, and in _The Odyssey_ was responsible for allowing the main character to outwit the powerful god Poseidon and exact revenge on the suitors trying to edge in on his homestead.
Athena’s wisdom shows itself in _The Odyssey_ when the Goddess takes the shape of Mentor, his elder and savvy friend whom he put in charge of Ithaca when he left for Troy. Disguised as Mentor, Athena gives Odysseus the advice and courage to take the right course of action during his homecoming. The English word “mentor,” meaning a wise person who nurtures the growth of a less experienced ally, comes from this epic portrayal by Athena.
FWIW, both Odysseus and Athena use their wits to achieve what they cannot do by brute strength. The story of how Odysseus accomplishes this is well known, but Athena has to take on different guises and bide her time so that she doesn’t tackle Poseidon straight on. No wonder she took a liking to Odysseus, because they were so similar. At one point she tells him that “among mortal men, you’re best at tactics, spinning yarns, and I am famous among the gods for wisdom, cunning too.”
Source(s): “Kind of like a father: on mentors and kings in _The Odyssey_” _The Center for Hellenic Studies _ Stamatia Dova. Vase in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. 525-500 BCE. The Kleophrades Painter. Object 07.286.79
