Athena was a child of Zeus and Metis, Zeus' first wife, who was keeping inside herself all the world's wisdom. She was born during the battle of the Giants, when she suddenly sprang out of the head of Zeus fully grown.
Athena was the goddess who taught mankind various skills such as weaving and sewing to the women and agriculture and metallurgy to men and was always giving precious advice and stood by on any danger.
After competing against the Greek god Poseidon, Athena officially became the patron deity of the city of ancient Athens and the Parthenon was built in her honour. She was known as "Athena Nike" (Athena the victorious), as she was believed to have given the Athenians the victory during the Persian War.
A tall, slim woman with glaucous eyes wearing a suit of armour and a golden helmet
Athena's symbols were the distaff and the aegis- a goat-like shield, to which the head of the Gorgon Medusa was fastened in order to terrify the opponents.
Athena's sacred animal was the owl, the symbol of wisdom.
The Roman name of Athena is "Minerva"