Panathenaea: Honoring Athena
Wisdom, courage, justice... Here comes the patron of the city where democracy was born: Athena. And the ancient Athenians surely know how to pay homage to her! ??
Athena was a special goddess among the Olympian gods. She was strong and independent, and she was born from the head of Zeus. She was fully grown and armoured, which shows that she was the very epitome of intellect and martial virtue. Athena was in lots of myths and stories. Do you remember her role in the Odyssey and the Iliad? She helped heroes like Odysseus and Achilles.
Athena's designation as the patron deity of Athens is a tale of competition, divine intervention, and the favor of the people. It’s not only about her but also about the cultural values of the ancient Athenians.
Athena is on the Way!
Athens was originally ruled by King Cecrops, a half-man, half-serpent figure. The city needed a patron deity to watch over it. Both Athena and Poseidon, the god of the sea, vied for this honor. It was decided that each god would present a gift to the city to resolve the matter.
Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, and from the earth sprang a saltwater spring (or, in some versions, a horse). While impressive, the saltwater spring was not very useful to the city's inhabitants due to its brackish water. Athena, in her turn, offered the olive tree. She planted it on the rocky soil of the Acropolis, and the tree flourished, providing the Athenians with a resource that was crucial to their daily life. The olive tree produced food (olives), oil (for cooking, lighting, and anointing), and wood (for building and crafting). This multifaceted utility made Athena's gift far superior in the eyes of the city's inhabitants.
The Book of the Week! ??The Goddess and the Warrior: The Naked Goddess and Mistress of the Animals in Early Greek Religion" by Nanno Marinatos offers an in-depth look at various aspects of Athena and her worship. It also gives insights into the religious and cultural context of the Panathenaea, the festival of Athena.
Panathenaea
Rich in history and cultural significance, the Panathenaic Festival brought its citizens together in a shared respect for the divine and the civic ideals they cherished.
Panathenaea was celebrated annually, with a larger version, the Great Panathenaea, every four years. The Panathenaea was a multifaceted festivity with athletic competitions, musical contests, and equestrian events. Musical competitions highlighted the artistic talents of the city, with rhapsodic performances and lyre playing enchanting the crowds.
The highlight of the festival was the Panathenaic Procession, a grand spectacle that traversed the city's streets, culminating at the Acropolis. Citizens from all strata of society participated, carrying offerings and presenting specially woven peplos to Athena’s statue.
Reflections on Today
While the characters of our global narrative have evolved, the essence of such grand celebrations remains unchanged. Nations around the world continue to honour their unique heritage and common values with grand festivals. In India, Diwali lights up the night with thousands of lamps, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. Similarly, in Brazil, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro transforms the city into a vivid palette of colour, music and dance, celebrating cultural diversity and national pride.
Much like the Panathenaic Festival of ancient Athens, they are here to remind people of their common heritage and the vibrant life they share.
A Divine Destination: Athena's Athens
Piri Guide’s Athens tour is now ready to teleport to the city of myths! It’s not even all because Athena is quite eager to share her story too. So plug in your headphones, hit play, and let Athena lead you through the vibrant heart of her ancient domain.