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Goddess of Wisdom

Athene

Goddess of Wisdom

Goddess of Wisdom

Athene

Goddess of Wisdom

Roman goddess of wisdom

Minerva

Roman goddess of wisdom

Goddess of Wisdom

Athene

Goddess of Wisdom

Goddess of Wisdom

Athene Parthenos

Goddess of Wisdom

Head of Minerva, Roman goddess of war, medicine, wisdom, and the arts.

Minerva

Head of Minerva, Roman goddess of war, medicine, wisdom, and the arts.

An order of architecture wherein the entablature is supported by female figures clothed in long garments, instead of columns. The temple of Polias-Minerva at Priene, Greece.

Caryatic Order

An order of architecture wherein the entablature is supported by female figures clothed in long garments,…

"The Parthenon is a celebrated temple at Athens, consecrated to Athena or Minerva, the protectress of the city, built on an elevated rock near the Acropolis, and has always been regarded as the most exquisite and perfect example of Grecian architecture. The Parthenon was erected about 448 B. C., in the time of Pericles, Phidias being the chief sculptor. It had a length of 228 feet, by a breadth of 100; it had eight columns beneath each pediment, and 15 on each side, exclusive of those at each end of the pediments, with which they formed 16 intercolumns, of 46 columns in all, exclusive of those within the building. This magnificent fane had resisted the ravages of time down to the 17th century, being by turns a pagan temple, a Christian church, and also a Turkish mosque, till at the siege of Athens by the Venetians, in 1687, a shell fell on the roof of the Acropolis or citadel, which, firing the magazine beneath, shattered that building and the Parthenon into blackened ruins."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Parthenon

"The Parthenon is a celebrated temple at Athens, consecrated to Athena or Minerva, the protectress of…

"signifies, literally, a goat skin. According to ancient mythology, the aegis worn by Jupiter was the hide of the goat Amaltheia, which had suckled him in his infancy. Homer always represents it as part of the armour of Jupiter, whom on this account he distinguishes by the epithet aegis-bearing. He, however, asserts, that it was borrowed on different occasions, both by Apollo and Minerva. The aegis was connected with the shield of Jupiter, either serving as a covering over it, or as a belt by which it was suspended from the right shoulder. Homer accordingly uses the word to denote not only the goat-skin, which it properly signified, but also the shield to which it belonged. The aegis was aorned in a style corresponding to the might and majesty of the father of the gods. In the middle of it was fixed the appalling Gorgon's head, and its border was surrounded with golden tassels, each of which was worth a hecatomb. The aegis is usually seen on the statues of Minerva, in which it is a sort of scarf falling obliquely over the right shoulder, so as to pass round the body under the left arm. The serpents of the Gorgon's head are transferred to the border of the skin. The later poets and artists represent the aegis as breastplate covered with metal in the form of scales." — Smith, 1873

Aegis

"signifies, literally, a goat skin. According to ancient mythology, the aegis worn by Jupiter was the…

"Antefixa representing Minerva superintending the construction of the Ship Argo. Antefixa are terra-cottas, which exhibited various ornamental designs, and were used in architecture to cover the frieze of the entablature. These terra-cottas do not appear to have been used among the Greeks, but were probabl Etruscan in their origin, and were thence taken for the decoration of Roman buildings. The name antefixa is evidently derived from the circumstance that they were fixed before the buildings which they adorned. Cato, the censor, complained that the Romans of his time began to despise ornaments of this description, and to prefer the marble friezes of Athens and Corinth. The rising taste which Cato deplored may account for the superior beauty of the antefixa preserved in the British Museum, which were discovered at Rome." — Smith, 1873

Antefixa

"Antefixa representing Minerva superintending the construction of the Ship Argo. Antefixa are terra-cottas,…

"A small temple, supposed to have been build by Numa, and dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, situated on the Esquiline. It was a small and humble structure suited to the simplicity of the age in which it was erected, and was not termed Capitolium until after the foundation of the one mentioned below, from which it was then distinguished as the capitolium vetus." — Smith, 1873;

Capitolium

"A small temple, supposed to have been build by Numa, and dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, situated…

"Athena (Minerva) superintending the building of the Argo." — Smith, 1882

Athena and Argo

"Athena (Minerva) superintending the building of the Argo." — Smith, 1882

"Athena (Minerva), the national deity of the Athenians." — Smith, 1882

Athena

"Athena (Minerva), the national deity of the Athenians." — Smith, 1882

"Minerva is often represented on gems and coins, hurling the thunderbolts of Jove. The following cut, so representing her, is from a silver coin of Antigonus Gona as itself copied from an ancient statue." — Anthon, 1891

Coin of Minerva

"Minerva is often represented on gems and coins, hurling the thunderbolts of Jove. The following cut,…

"Lampadedromia, torch-race, and often simply, Lampas, was a game common throughout Greece. At Athens we know of five celebrations of this game: one to Prometheus at the Prometheia, a second to Minerva at the Panametheia, a third to Vulcan at the Hephaesteia, a fourth to Pan, and a fifth to the Thracian Diana or Bendis. The three former are of unknown antiquity; the fourth was introduced soon after the battle of Marathon; the last in the time of Socrates. The race was usually run on foot, horses being first used in the time of Socrates: sometimes also at night. The preparation for it was a principal branch of the Gymnasiarchia, so much so indeed in later times, that Lampadarchia, seems to have been pretty much equivalent to the Gymnasiarchia. The gymnasiarch had to provide the lampas, which was a candlestick with a kind of shield set at the bottom of the socket, so as to shelter the flame of the candle; as is seen in the following woodcut, taken from a coin, He had also to provide for the training of the runners, which was of no slight consequence, for the race was evidently a severe one, with other expenses, which on the whole were very heave, so that Isaeus classes this office with the choregia and trierarchia, and reckons that it had cost him 12 minae." — Smith, 1873

Lampadephoria

"Lampadedromia, torch-race, and often simply, Lampas, was a game common throughout Greece. At Athens…

"Spira, the base of a column. in the Tuscan and the Roman Doric the base consisted of a single torus, sometimes surmounted by an astragal. In the Ionic and Attic it commonly consisted of two tori, divided by a scotia, and in the Corinthian of two tori divided by two scotiae. The upper torus was often fluted, and surmounted by an astragal, as in the left-hand figure of the following wood-cut, which shows the form of the base in the Ionic or Attic temple of Panops on the Ilissus. The right-hand figure in the same wood-cut shows the corresponding part in the temple of Minerva Polias at Athens. In this the upper torus is wrought with a platted ornament, perhaps designed to represent a robe or cable." — Smith, 1873

Spira

"Spira, the base of a column. in the Tuscan and the Roman Doric the base consisted of a single torus,…

A statue of Minerva, with a serpent depicted at the goddesses' feet.

Minerva

A statue of Minerva, with a serpent depicted at the goddesses' feet.

"Tela, a loom. Although weaving was among the Greeks and Romans a distinct trade, carried on by a separate class of persons, yet every considerable domestic establishment, especially in the country, contained a loom, together with the whole apparatus necessary for the working of wool. These occupations were all supposed to be carried on under the protection of Athena or Minerva, specially denominated Ergane. When the farm or the palace was sufficiently large to admit of it, a portion of it called the histon or textrinum, was devoted to this purpose. The work was there principally carried on by female slaves, under the superintendence of the mistress of the house." — Smith; 1873

Tela

"Tela, a loom. Although weaving was among the Greeks and Romans a distinct trade, carried on by a separate…

"Tela, a loom. Although weaving was among the Greeks and Romans a distinct trade, carried on by a separate class of persons, yet every considerable domestic establishment, especially in the country, contained a loom, together with the whole apparatus necessary for the working of wool. These occupations were all supposed to be carried on under the protection of Athena or Minerva, specially denominated Ergane. When the farm or the palace was sufficiently large to admit of it, a portion of it called the histon or textrinum, was devoted to this purpose. The work was there principally carried on by female slaves, under the superintendence of the mistress of the house." &mdash Smith; 1873

Tela

"Tela, a loom. Although weaving was among the Greeks and Romans a distinct trade, carried on by a separate…

"According to ancient mythology, the aegis worn by Jupiter was the hide of the goat Amalthea, which has suckled him in his infancy. The following represents Minerva with the aegis." — Anthon, 1891

Minerva with aegis

"According to ancient mythology, the aegis worn by Jupiter was the hide of the goat Amalthea, which…

"On Minerva's side Varro tells us that Cecrops found an olive tree and a fountain, and that on consulting the oracle he was told that both Minerva and Neptune had a right to the guardianship of the city, and that the Senate decided in favor of the former; the name of the city was consequently changed from Poseidonus to Athens." —Bulfinch, 1897

Minerva

"On Minerva's side Varro tells us that Cecrops found an olive tree and a fountain, and that on consulting…

"Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto to carry Cerberus to the upper air provided he could do it without the use of weapons; and in spite of the monster's struggling, he seized him, held him fast, and carried him to Eurystheus, and afterward brought him back again." —Bulfinch, 1897

Hercules and Cerberus

"Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto…

"Minerva." —Bulfinch, 1897

Minerva

"Minerva." —Bulfinch, 1897

"Ionic order. From the Temple of Athene (Minerva) at Priene." —D'Anvers, 1895

Ionic order

"Ionic order. From the Temple of Athene (Minerva) at Priene." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Heathen Deities: Jupiter"-Willson, 1859.

Jupiter

"Heathen Deities: Jupiter"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Neptune"-Willson, 1859.

Neptune

"Heathen Deities: Neptune"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Pluto"-Willson, 1859.

Pluto

"Heathen Deities: Pluto"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Mercury"-Willson, 1859.

Mercury

"Heathen Deities: Mercury"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Mars"-Willson, 1859.

Mars

"Heathen Deities: Mars"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Vulcan"-Willson, 1859.

Vulcan

"Heathen Deities: Vulcan"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Apollo"-Willson, 1859.

Apollo

"Heathen Deities: Apollo"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Diana"-Willson, 1859.

Diana

"Heathen Deities: Diana"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Minerva"-Willson, 1859.

Minerva

"Heathen Deities: Minerva"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Juno"-Willson, 1859.

Juno

"Heathen Deities: Juno"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Ceres"-Willson, 1859.

Ceres

"Heathen Deities: Ceres"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Vesta"-Willson, 1859.

Vesta

"Heathen Deities: Vesta"-Willson, 1859.

Minerva, with Aegis. From an ancient statue.

Minerva

Minerva, with Aegis. From an ancient statue.

"The name of a Roman goddess, identified by the later Graecising Romans with the Greek Athene, whom she greatly resembled, though, like all old Latin divinities, there was nothing anthropomorphic in what was told concerning her." — Chambers, 1881

Minerva

"The name of a Roman goddess, identified by the later Graecising Romans with the Greek Athene, whom…

A poster with important images and facts from the period of glory (500-431 B.C.).

Greece Poster

A poster with important images and facts from the period of glory (500-431 B.C.).

On the apex and two lower angles of the pediment were introduced acroteria, sometimes ornaments of flowers and tendrils, and sometimes statues of gods or animals. These were placed on small pedestals, and offered an æsthetic contrast to the sliding effect which would otherwise have been produced by the oblique lines of the pediment.

Acroteria from the Temple of Minerva at Ægina

On the apex and two lower angles of the pediment were introduced acroteria, sometimes ornaments of flowers…

The so-called Attic base is the form which most frequently occurs; and consists of two tori separated by a cavetto, the whole having a plinth as basis; the upper torus being less high and projecting than the lower.

Attic Base in the Temple of Minerva Polias

The so-called Attic base is the form which most frequently occurs; and consists of two tori separated…

In the capital the Doric echinus is replaced either by a cyma ornamented with leaves, or, more generally, by an ovolo with a pearl-beading beneath. Instead of the Doric abacus there occurs a cushion-like band in its place, whose ends wound in a spiral shape and coiled with elastic force, when viewed either from in front or behind, formed volutes, which on both sides considerably exceed the diameter of the column, and also surpass the architrave in breadth.

Ionic Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Priene

In the capital the Doric echinus is replaced either by a cyma ornamented with leaves, or, more generally,…

These volutes, or scrolls, when viewed from the side, appear to meet in the middle, and form a wavy line over the echinus. The intervals of the spiral coils are slightly hollowed, in order to bring them into more relief, and in this way the so-called channel is formed, which is continued in the horizontal portion which connects the volutes.

Side View of the Ionic Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Priene

These volutes, or scrolls, when viewed from the side, appear to meet in the middle, and form a wavy…

These volutes, or scrolls, when viewed from the side, appear to meet in the middle, and form a wavy line over the echinus. The intervals of the spiral coils are slightly hollowed, in order to bring them into more relief, and in this way the so-called channel is formed, which is continued in the horizontal portion which connects the volutes.

Section of a Volute of an Ionic Capital

These volutes, or scrolls, when viewed from the side, appear to meet in the middle, and form a wavy…

These volutes, or scrolls, when viewed from the side, appear to meet in the middle, and form a wavy line over the echinus. The intervals of the spiral coils are slightly hollowed, in order to bring them into more relief, and in this way the so-called channel is formed, which is continued in the horizontal portion which connects the volutes.

Top View of the Ionic Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Priene

These volutes, or scrolls, when viewed from the side, appear to meet in the middle, and form a wavy…

The good effect of the Ionic capital is really only produced by the front-view. It seems calculated to be introduced between pillars and antæ, and not in a disconnected peristyle with with angle columns. In angle columns, however, the volutes are sometimes constructed in such a way that they meet at both sides diagonally.

Ionic Angle Column from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens, Front

The good effect of the Ionic capital is really only produced by the front-view. It seems calculated…

The good effect of the Ionic capital is really only produced by the front-view. It seems calculated to be introduced between pillars and antæ, and not in a disconnected peristyle with with angle columns. In angle columns, however, the volutes are sometimes constructed in such a way that they meet at both sides diagonally.

Ionic Angle Column from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens, Side

The good effect of the Ionic capital is really only produced by the front-view. It seems calculated…

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings; the base, on the other hand, is the same as in the columns, and is continued round the walls as a plinth.

Plan of Ionic Antæ Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings;…

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings; the base, on the other hand, is the same as in the columns, and is continued round the walls as a plinth.

Ionic Antæ Capital from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens

The capital of the antæ and pilasters is without volutes, as is seen here. The shaft has no flutings;…

The entablature resting on the columns has three parts: a plain architrave divided into two, or more generally three, bands, with a frieze resting on it that may be richly sculptural, and a cornice built up with dentils, with a corona and cyma molding to support the projecting roof.

Ionic Cornice from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Priene

The entablature resting on the columns has three parts: a plain architrave divided into two, or more…

Belonging to the time directly after Pericles is the Erechtheum. This is a double temple in the Ionic style, dedicated to Minerva Polias, and is situated on the Acropolis. It has a hexastyle Ionic prostyle. A low building adjoins it, behind which is the shrine of the Nymph Pandrosos.

Erechtheum with the Pandrosium

Belonging to the time directly after Pericles is the Erechtheum. This is a double temple in the Ionic…

The Minerva head is a design on the Greek Goddess Athena. This design frequently occurred on medallions.

Minerva Head

The Minerva head is a design on the Greek Goddess Athena. This design frequently occurred on medallions.

This Right Minerva head is the modern version design of the Greek Goddess Athena. This design frequently occurred on medallions.

Right Minerva Head

This Right Minerva head is the modern version design of the Greek Goddess Athena. This design frequently…

A coin engraved with images of Minerva and Jupiter. Minerva was the Roman equivalent to the Greek goddess Athena, and Jupiter was similar to the Greek god of thunder, Zeus.

Dieties

A coin engraved with images of Minerva and Jupiter. Minerva was the Roman equivalent to the Greek goddess…

A coin with a female figure of Ceres, holding ears of corn and the torch of Minerva.

Roman Coin

A coin with a female figure of Ceres, holding ears of corn and the torch of Minerva.

The Temple of Minerva in Athens.

Temple

The Temple of Minerva in Athens.

A medal representing Jupiter sitting in a temple, conversing with Minerva and attended by Juno.

Minerva

A medal representing Jupiter sitting in a temple, conversing with Minerva and attended by Juno.

A medal of Tarsus which suggest that Minerva, the goddess of arts and sciences, was revered there. In her hand she holds a Victory holding a garland, turning from the goddess.

Medal of Tarsus

A medal of Tarsus which suggest that Minerva, the goddess of arts and sciences, was revered there. In…