There are several classical mythologies. In this case, however, the interest is on Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. Aphrodite was an Olympian goddess of pleasure, love, and procreation. The tale includes where the goddess was born and their role in the society. Hera, on the other hand, was of Greek origin and a daughter of Rhea and Cronus. Moreover, it was from the Olympian gods. Lastly, the Athena was born from the holy head of Zeus. The paper is concerned with the comparison of the three stories specifically their birth and origins.
Hera
Hera hails from the Greek religion and is a daughter of Rhea and the Titans Cronus. Moreover, she is from the Olympic gods’ queen and sister-wife of Zeus. Her identification according to the Romans was Juno. Throughout the Greek world, Hera was worshiped and played a crucial role in the literature of Greek. In most case, she appeared to be rancorous and jealous Zeus wife who could pursue with vindictive hatred. Historically, she was known to be sole lawful Zeus wife, but she later superseded Dione. The latter shared with her his oracle which was ancient at Epirus.
The worship to him was in two categories one as marriage goddess and the other as queen of heaven. In fact, this made her the women’s protectress in childbirth thus getting the title of Eileithyia, the goddess birth. As such, was at Athens and Argo’s. However, at Samos and Argo’s she was more than marriage and heaven queen goddess. In these cities, she was their patron thus getting the position that corresponded to that of Athena at Athens[1]. Her ritual was mostly agricultural, but she also had celebration known as the Shield. In honoring her at Samos, there was an armed procession. As a result, the conception was due to a breadth of functions that got attributed to deity patron in the state of Greek.
Hera got regarded as Mount Olympus queen. She got the role from Titans who got deposed and after marrying Zeus. She had a supreme god that transformed him into a cuckoo such that it would seduce her. More so, she was expected to be the third wife of Zeus. Gaia presented a garden in that was f=growing in the Golden Apples as a wedding gift.
Hera acted as a senior counsel to Zeus where she advised and guided him on occasions. All the same, she had fewer powers that his husband such that she would not overstep certain borders. There was a time when they wanted to imprison Zeus, but Thetis prevent eth actons. From then Hera was believed to have her virginity restored each year after bathing in Canathas Spring or well. Even though she gave birth, her husband was not involved. As such, Hera was angered by Zeus for bringing forth Athena.
Hera had a matriarch figure though had fewer children. In fact, she is known to have three children namely: Hebe (Goddess of Youth), Eileithyia (Goddess of childbirth) and Ares (God of war).
Aphrodite
Aphrodite was known as the Olympian goddess of procreation, love, beauty, and pleasure. She was an ancient goddess of Greek who got identified through venus by the Romans. Aphros is a Greek word that means foam. Aphrodite is said to be born from a white foam that got sourced from several genitals of Uranus(heaven). However, this was after Cronus his son threw them into the sea. In fact, he got worshipped as the seafaring and sea goddess. Besides, she got honored as the war goddess. All the same, this was at Thebes, Sparta, and Cyprus among other places. Primarily she was known as the goddess of fertility and love. In fact, she is said to have presided over marriage. Prostitute considered as their patron despite her cult being austere and solemn.
It got believed that her worship originated from the East before it came to Greece. In this case, many of its characteristics are considered Semitic. Homer referred her as Cyprian due to the famed island for worship. She got Hellenized by the time of homer who said that she Zeus daughter[2].
Aphrodite had mortal lovers with Trojan as the most crucial who later became the Aeneas mother. He also had a youth Adonis who while a boar killed hunting. Moreover, he was lamented in the Adonis festival by women. The Adonis cult had underworld characteristics which made A Aphrodite to get the Delphi.
Amathus and Paphos were the primary centers of worship by Aphrodite on the Cythera Island. It is on the island that it gets believed the cult originated. Corinth was in Greek, and it was the chief center for her worship. She had close associations with the Graces, Eros and Horae who emphasized that her role was that of promoting fertility. The Roman poet Lucretius honored her as Genetrix meaning original feature in the world. Plato referred the Pandemos (of all people) and (Heavenly Dweller) as universal love and intellectual though ironically. However, Urania title was applied in Asian deities and was honorific. On the other hand, she referred to pandemics as that standing within the city-state. Some of the symbols included are a swan, pomegranate, and myrtle.
Early Greek work presents Aphrodite as a nude goddess, oriental or a seated figure that was similar to another goddess. It is in the 5th century that she first gained individuality through Greek Sculptors. The carved Praxiteles was the most famous statues of Aphrodite. Later, it got modeled for Hellenistic masterpieces like the Venus de Milo (2nd century BCE).
Aphrodite was having noteworthy affairs with mortal heroes. After Jason asking for permission for kin Colchis to get rid of Golden Fleece, the king was not willing to do so. As such, the Hera goddess who was the sponsor of the Jason quest asked for intervention by Aphrodite. The goddess of love made the daughter of the king Medea fall for Jason thus proving Jason success as being instrumental. It is Aphrodite who caused the Trojan war.
Athena
Zeus had to swallow his consort after making her pregnant. He had the fears that if he got a son, he would overthrow him. As such, Athena was from the holy head of Zeus. Hephaestus had an ax who probably facilitated the birth. Since the occasion was colorful Athena sprang as fully grown. She was a beautiful young woman was full of armor. She also had no fears when announcing her arrival which was with a thunderous war cry. Allegorically, the birth of Athena proclaimed her essential character. She had divine wisdom coming from God’s head. More so, she had a bond of affection between the daughter and father.
Athena originated from the Greek and was referred to as wisdom and war goddess. Of the many things, she was a famous goddess. As earlier stated she had courage, wisdom, civilization, inspiration strategic warfare, law, and justice, strength, mathematics, crafts, the arts, and skill. One thing that makes her be known is the warfare skills. Besides, she portrayed this as heroes companion as well as goddess patron of heroic endeavor[3].
It is from ZEUS that Athena was born. However, this was after experiencing enormous headache. She then sprung fully grown from the forehead. Despite her having no mother, it is cited that Zeus used to lay with Metis. Metris
Athena contested with Poseidon as they vide to control the city of Athens. All the same, this would include the surrounding territories of the city. The contest was taking place in Attica. After Poseidon striking the rock with a trident, he produced a horse. On the other hand, Athena brought about an olive tree by touching her spear. In this case, she was proclaimed to be the victor. According to the Athenian economy and life, olive played a significant role. As a result, Poseidon was appeased and could no longer get worshipped by the Athens.
Another essential occasion regarding Athena was the Panathenaic festival. The opportunity was happening per year where they celebrated the Athena birthday. The event included games and sacrifices. There were also special prizes for the winners of the games. The event got decorated with pure olive oil.
The Parthenon was a great Athena temple that was built in the fifth Bc. It had an adjective meaning of virgin with the standard epithet of Athena. It was a beautiful Doric temple and had a sculpture.
Bibliography
Slater, Philip Elliot. The glory of Hera: Greek mythology and the Greek family. Princeton University Press, 2014.
Hansen, William F. Handbook of classical mythology. Abc-clio, 2004.
Breitenberger, Barbara. Aphrodite and Eros: The Development of Greek Erotic Mythology. Routledge, 2013.
