The Epithets of Athena

A number of epithets, revealing different aspects of the goddess, were attached to her name. Everyone interested in Athena would benefit greatly by the knowledge of these epithets. In many ways, they reveal the nature of the goddess as it was perceived by the ancient Hellenes. Indeed these epithets demonstrate that Athena was a much more complex being than the Goddess of Wisdom that she is often labeled with. Let us begin; note that I have also included the different forms of her own name, Athena.

Athêna

Most common name of the goddess, used in Attica (Athens) and in later times, as Attic Greek became the basis for the koinê Greek, the name used by almost everyobody.

Athênaia

Original form of Athena. Like Athênaiê, it may signify the origin of the goddess, i.e. from Athênai (Athens).

Athênaiê

Name of the goddess by Ionian Hellenes. For instance it was used by Herodotus in his Histories which were written in mostly Ionic Greek. We also find it in the two Homeric hymns to Athena.

Athênê

Shortened version of her name. Used in Homeric poetry, chiefly because it fitted the requirements of the iambic hexameter which is used by Homer in his two great epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Athana

Doric version of her name. Example of its use can be found in the tragic poetry of Aeschylus (e.g. in the Eumenides).

Atana

The usual transliteration of the name found in the Linear-B tablets from Crete, atana potinija. Incidentally, that appearance is the oldest trace of the worship of Athena. It has been suggested that the exact translation of the tablet is "The Lady from Athens", which would mean that the goddess took her name from the city and not the opposite. This issue, however, has not been decided.

Aithuia

A sea-bird in the form of which she was said to have taken Kekrops, the snake-man from Athens to Megara.

Agraulos

After one of the daughters of Kekrops, king of Athens. It means "who dwells in the fields". Signifies the mysterious, dark, tragic aspect of the goddess, like that of Persephonê.

Erganê

Means "of works". Athena was associated with the arts, especially with the female functions performed in the household, i.e. weaving wool, carpet-making, etc. She is also associated with the works of men; she invented the bridle, the carriage, the first ship. She is also the patron goddess of carpenters; the legend says taht she was the one who helped create the Doureios Hippos or Trojan Horse. In this aspect she was linked with Hephaistos, who also protected the arts, especially of smiths. Their joint temple in Athens, at the foot of the Acropolis was the Theseion.

Glaukôpis

With eyes like a glaux or owl. Usually translated as owl-eyed, gray-eyed or blue-eyed.

Gorgôpis

Gorgon-faced. Obviously a reflection of the fact that the face of the Gorgon which Perseus had slain adorned her chestplate.

Halea

Of the sea.

Hippia

Of horses. The goddess discovered the use of the bridle by which horses are tamed. She first gave this gift to Bellerophontes, the hero who slew Khimaira, the fire-breathing monster. In this aspect she is linked to Poseidon, who is also a protector of horses and horse-riders and is worshipped as Hippios.

Hugieia

Of Health. She was linked in this aspect with Asklêpios, the god of medicine and son of Apollôn.

Nikê (also Apteros Nikê)

Victory. Athena brings victory, that is why she is the goddess of battle, honored and respected by soldiers and armies. The temple of Athena Nike stood (and still stands) in the Athenian acropolis. A nice example of this aspect is the night before the battle of Gaugamela, the final battle between the armies of the Hellenes and the Persians in the campaign of Alexander. The Macedonian king was said to have sacrificed to Athena Nike during the night before the day of that battle. As we all know, he won. Athena was called Apteros Nikê (Nike without wings) to distinguish her from the winged Nike who was a distinct goddess (like the Nike of Samothrace who can be found in the Louvre).

Pallas

Many interpretations for this have been presented. It might mean virgin. The story of Pallas and Athena as young girls and how Athena mistakenly killed her with her javelin and then assumed her name is also recited. The goddess also slew a giant named Pallas in the Gigantomachy. Finally a connection with pallein "to shake" has been suggested, as the goddess shakes her spear.

Pandrosos

The opposite of Agraulos, signifies the light, optimistic aspect of the goddess, linked with the olive-tree she had planted on the Acropolis.

Parthenos

Virgin. Athena prized her virginity above all her virtues and preserved it with caution. She was powerful, self-complete, not needing of the male element. She once said that she likes everything about men except them getting married. Athena's hostility to sexuality signifies her power and self-sufficiency although it has been said that this is just a manifestation of the patriarchal system enforcing its values on the goddess. Just as a virgin repels the attacks of the males, the city repels the attacks of the enemies.

Polias, Polioukhos

Means "of the city" or "lady of the city". Athena was associated with the akropoleis, the defended high places which were found in almost every Hellenic city. The Acropolis of Athens of course is the most obvious example, but in many cities, both in classical and hellenistic times, the goddess' temple was located in the akropolis. The image of an armed maiden is associated with this epithet of the goddess. Just as the maiden maintains her virginity, so the city's akropolis maintains its integrity from the attacks of its enemies.

Promakhos

Standing at the front in battle. Another epithet signifying Athena's nature as a goddess of war. She leads the troops into battle, she is the supreme general. A bronze statue of Athena Promakhos stood on the Acropolis of Athens. The spear she was holding could be seen as far as Cape Sounion. Once you saw that spear, you knew you had arrived in Athens.

Tritogeneia

A mysterious epithet, the exact meaning of which has not been determined. One possibility is "born of the Triton" in accordance with the myths that had Triton, the sea-god and not Zeus as her father. She was also said to have been born near lake Tritonis in Africa.

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