Athena

Athena was the patron goddess of Athens, whose Parthenon on the Acropolis was dedicated to her, and of handicraft. In myth she was born from the forehead of Zeus. She won the city from Poseidon by creating the first olive tree, and her chief festival was the Panathenaia.

She led soldiers into battle as Athena Promachos and helped heroes such as Perseus, Heracles and Odysseus. Since the Renaissance Western artists have made her a symbol of wisdom, learning and freedom.