Character Descriptions
Athena
Athena, also known as Pallas Athena and Minerva, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, arts, crafts, and skill. She is the protector of heroes and goddess of endeavor. Athena, the patronage of Athens, was such an important goddess that the Athenians built the Parthenon and named the city Athens in her honor. She was the goddess who was challenged by the proud mortal, Arachne. Despite the fact that she was angry at her, Athena showed pity for Arachne and turned her into a spider.
Athena, also known as Pallas Athena and Minerva, is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, arts, crafts, and skill. She is the protector of heroes and goddess of endeavor. Athena, the patronage of Athens, was such an important goddess that the Athenians built the Parthenon and named the city Athens in her honor. She was the goddess who was challenged by the proud mortal, Arachne. Despite the fact that she was angry at her, Athena showed pity for Arachne and turned her into a spider.
Arachne
Arachne was a mortal who loved to weave on her loom. She would weave day and night. One day, she boasted about being a better weaver than Athena, the goddess of wisdom. After hearing Arachne's statement, Athena confronted her and a contest was planned to occur in three days to see who was a better weaver. Whoever lost the contest could never weave on their loom again. Arachne's weaving was beautiful, but Athena's was magnificent. Everyone who came to watch the contest, including the all power god, Zeus, agreed that Athena's weaving won the contest. Arachne was heart-broken at the fact that she will never be able to weave again. But, Athena felt pity for her. She changed Arachne onto a form of a spider. Thus, Arachne had become the first spider in this world. Arachne's pride ruined her own life.
Arachne was a mortal who loved to weave on her loom. She would weave day and night. One day, she boasted about being a better weaver than Athena, the goddess of wisdom. After hearing Arachne's statement, Athena confronted her and a contest was planned to occur in three days to see who was a better weaver. Whoever lost the contest could never weave on their loom again. Arachne's weaving was beautiful, but Athena's was magnificent. Everyone who came to watch the contest, including the all power god, Zeus, agreed that Athena's weaving won the contest. Arachne was heart-broken at the fact that she will never be able to weave again. But, Athena felt pity for her. She changed Arachne onto a form of a spider. Thus, Arachne had become the first spider in this world. Arachne's pride ruined her own life.
Niobe
Niobe was the queen of Thebes, the wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Her father was Tantalus the ruler of a town above Mt Sipylus in Anatolia . Niobe and Amphion gave birth to fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters and because of this she was affected by hubris. She was punished by the gods for her offense. Like Athena, Zeus showed sympathy and turned Niobe into a rock.
Niobe was the queen of Thebes, the wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Her father was Tantalus the ruler of a town above Mt Sipylus in Anatolia . Niobe and Amphion gave birth to fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters and because of this she was affected by hubris. She was punished by the gods for her offense. Like Athena, Zeus showed sympathy and turned Niobe into a rock.
"I have had much experience," said she, "and I hope you will not despise my counsel. Challenge your fellow-mortals as you will, but do not compete with a goddess."
- Athena
Arachne and Niobe remind us of the son of Helios, the sun god, Phaeton. Phaeton was affected by pride and decided he was as good as his dad in guiding the sun, but he really was not. The chariot went out of control, and there was chaos on Earth. Fire from the chariot spread throughout the land. In the end, Phaeton died. Athena reminds us of Princess Nausicaa because they both keep their composure in frightening situations.
- Athena
Arachne and Niobe remind us of the son of Helios, the sun god, Phaeton. Phaeton was affected by pride and decided he was as good as his dad in guiding the sun, but he really was not. The chariot went out of control, and there was chaos on Earth. Fire from the chariot spread throughout the land. In the end, Phaeton died. Athena reminds us of Princess Nausicaa because they both keep their composure in frightening situations.