![]() Achilles is helped to kill Hector, and Odysseus too was often given the benefit of Athena's wisdom, for example the idea to dress as a beggar on his return to Ithaca, and he is also protected from the arrows of his rivals when he clears the palace of the interlopers. Perseus was another favourite and was given a shield to protect himself in his quest to kill Medusa. In the Greek myths, she is the protector of Hercules and Athena often aids him in his twelve labours, for example, by helping him hold the world as Atlas searches for the sacred apples of the Hesperides. Mary Harrsch (Photographed at the Nashville Parthenon, Tennessee) (CC BY-NC-SA) In her role as protector, she was also revered in many other major cities, notably as patron of Sparta, as the founder of Thebes in Boeotia, and at Corinth where she appeared on the city's coins. Prizes for the games were amphorae painted with a figure of Athena and contained prime olive oil. The festival included a magnificent procession through the city, the presentation to Athena of a specially woven peplos (depicting the Gigantomachy), and athletic games. Her adopted son Erichthonios, one of the first kings of Athens, is traditionally credited with inaugurating the Panathenaic festival, held every four years to honour the goddess. ![]() The 5th century BCE temple of the Parthenon, which continues to this day to dominate the acropolis of the city, was built in her honour. She is closely associated with Athens, the city named in her honour after the people of Attica chose her as their patron following her gift of the olive tree, symbol of peace and plenty. ![]() She is said to have invented the aulos but on seeing her reflection and her puffed cheeks when playing these pipes, she threw them away, to be picked up by the satyr Marsyas. Athena is also the patron goddess of household crafts, giving mortals the gifts of cooking and sewing.
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