Polytheism

Ancient Greek religion was not only compromised of a diverse pantheon, but of deities who were diverse themselves. As I mentioned in my first post, Greek gods were external to creation, yet could be found in every aspect of life. For example, Hestia was the goddess of the hearth, but was also the hearth itself, and was present in every dwelling place. However, she was also the protector of orphans and lost children and patroness of marriage.[1] Mortals attributed everything to the gods; fertility, protection, victory, war, hunting, craftsmanship-with so many roles to fulfil gods had to take on numerous responsibilities and therefore had numerous epithets to represent them.


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Athena Promachos.
Bronze, C480 BC,
Athens National Arch Museum

Epithets also signified the personalities and circumstances of the gods. Athena is Athena Parthenos-the maiden goddess. She maintains her chastity and refuses men; similarly Hestia refused the proposals of Apollo and Poseidon and Artemis was fiercely protective of her virginity, punishing any who pursued her or even accidentally witnessed her naked form.[2] A woman’s duty in life was to marry, provide children and perform domestic duties for the family, so the choice of these female deities is unusual. While Hestia is still performing a feminine role by being in every home, Athena’s duties are more masculine; she is Athena Polias (of the city) –the protector of Athens, and Athena Promachos (champion) –the leader in war. This role was highly important, and praised in ancient Greek literature:

‘Homeric Hymn 11: To Athena

With Pallas Athena, protectress of cities, my song begins,

With that fearsome goddess who cares with Ares for warlike works-

The sacking of cities, the scream of battle, the clash of the fray-

And also ensures the army’s safe parting and homeward return.

Farewell to you, goddess! Grant us success and prosperous life’.[3]

Athene and Ares
Attic Black figure on Amphora, C510-500,
Tampa Museum of Art

This links to my next point; deities shared their roles. For example, Athena and Demeter were both associated with agriculture, and Athena and Poseidon with horsemanship. This hymn refers to Ares, who is linked to Athena through war. Ares is the fearsome god of war and, like Hestia, is the personification of war itself. Associated with the ‘fury of battle,’[4] he enjoys the damage and suffering caused. Alternatively, Athena is the wise goddess of war, and as seen in the Homeric hymn above, the guardian of cities and fighters which alludes to a caring, more feminine side of her personality. This side of Athena - the maiden protector of men and of Athens- was worshipped in the Parthenon.

A note about the pictures included:

The first image is of a bronze statuette of Athena Promachos. It shows Athena in full armour with her hand raised (she would have been wielding her spear) ready to defend Athens. This statuette is a replica of Phidias’s great statue.

The second picture depicts Athena and Ares dressed for battle. Their bodies are mirrored, representing their shared role. However, it is interesting to note that they are facing each other as in myth Athena and Ares were often on different sides.  Ares was often supporting the losing side, with Athena triumphant – the favourite of Zeus and Athenians, she never lost, and those who had her support would emerge victorious. Burkert and Raffen discuss the contrast between the two deities in Homer’s Iliad and portray Athena as rather cruel in her treatment of Ares; ‘she treats him even more shamefully in the Diomedes Aristeia’ [5] by removing his armour and later wounding him. I don’t agree; instead I would argue she is portrayed as cunning and obedient to her father, a crucial trait in women, whereas Ares is foolish. He rushes into battle and when pitted against Athena he strikes her aegis-her protective device- ineffectively. Athena is not acting cruelly, she is outwitting Ares.

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[1] Evslin, Bernard, (2006) Gods, Demigods and Demons, UK: I.B Taurus & Co Ltd, 94.

[2] ‘Artemis.’ Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online, Available from http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/artemis.html (accessed 17.11.11)

[3] Crudden, Michael, (2001) The Homeric Hymns, UK: Oxford University Press, 80.

[4] Deacy, Susan and Alexandra Villing, eds, (2001)  Athena in the Classical World, UK: Brill, 309.
[5] Burkert, W. and J. Raffen, (1987) Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 169.