Since time immemorial, in the realm of ancient Greek Mythology, among umpteen mighty gods arose conflicts yet the celestial rivalry that stemmed between the revered and intellectual war goddess Athena and a formidable greek divinity of the waters, earthquakes and horses, Poseidon, moulded the course of legends like no other.
Athena is the goddess of wisdom, crafts and warfare with unmatchable intellect and practicality. Embodying confidence, she is a dexterous warrior with a composed attitude. However, Greek myths do highlight her pride and over-ambition. The owl, a wise bird, is the dominant symbol of the ingenious daughter of Zeus. The potent Poseidon, brother to Zeus, is the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. His domain epitomizes raw power, untamable forces and unpredictability, symbolized by his trident which both creates and destroys.
An enchanting city in Greece prevailed, flourishing as it grew in power. Its success was an eye-catcher for both, Poseidon and Athena and both the wisdom goddess and the sea god yearned to be the patron god of this prominent city yet infelicitously only one god could be bestowed with this honour. Neither of them willing to abdicate, resulted in a feud between the two ambitious deities. It later dawned upon Athena that Poseidon would have the upper hand, however if she transformed this battle from one of strength to one of witt the tables would turn. The battle goddess emphasized that the power to resolve upon a suitable patron vested within the citizens and not within the brute strength of either of them, she proposed that both Poseidon and her would present the city with presents and the god whose gift would be favoured by the citizens would be bestowed with the honour of Patron, for his pride was at stake Poseidon agreed to the challenge.
On the hill of Acropolis, Poseidon was first to display his gift and he struck the ground with his symbolic trident leading to the emergence of a salt water spring gushing out through the hole, proclaiming that under his patronage, the city would rule the mediterranean sea and dictate its trade. The argument offered was indeed compelling for the city was dependent on the sea. They were enthralled yet their awe soon turned into disgust upon tasting the salty water, unfit for human consumption. Their hearts sank and they turned to Athena who declared that her gift was a plant that would bloom even in their climate. An olive tree sprouted near the tip of her spear where she had touched the ground. It was a phenomenal and sacred plant which would provide the city with olive oil, food and wood. Beyond a shadow of doubt, Athena’s gift appealed to the citizens and Athena was made the Patron goddess. In her honour this city was named Athens.
Beyond the feud for Athens, Athena and Poseidon are two gods with contrasting personalities. Strategic, cerebral and calm Athena and impulsive and ill-tempered Poseidon on a myriad of occasions have failed to collaborate and have supported opposing sides in combat. For instance, during the Trojan war while Athena was a pillar of support for the Greeks, Poseidon supported the Trojans.
This ongoing enmity between Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the god of the Sea, Poseidon has been integral to the Greek Mythology and has molded the outcomes and destinies of innumerable combats, heroes and pivotal moments in Greek history. The myths of these influential gods explore the enigmatic divine world and interactions of formidable and dynamic Greek gods with the human world. This rift and its outcomes act as a timeless legacy, shaping the culture of the historically spellbinding, ancient Greece.
