CHESMAYNE
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Athena
Middle: Ruins, Temple of Athena
01 The Greek goddess of wisdom, arts and
prudent warfare, identified by the Romans with Minerva. In Classical Greece she came to assume the dual
roles of Promachos ‘Front-rank Warrior’ and also
protector of horses. Born straight from Zeus’s
head, Athene is a force within the mind of Man. Athene is the protectress of Heroes. She taught men the use of
bridle and yoke, and is the principle by which man can combine Power and
Wisdom, since Athene herself is the unification of
the power of her father (Zeus) and the wisdom of her mother (Metis). The owl was
the animal closest to her and she introduced the art of weaving, which suggests
Athene’s relationship with introverted intuition,
the wisdom to see the pattern and meaning of life. In later fairy-tales birds
were symbolically associated with her and had the power to turn men to stone.
02 Athenaeum: an institution for the promotion of
literary learning - a library or reading room - a sanctuary of Athena built by the Roman emperor
Hadrian and frequented by poets and wo/men of
learning.
Left: Side view of Temple of Athena
03 Athenaeum Club of London: a gathering of
scientists and thinkers which boasts the largest assembly of Nobel
Prize winners in the world which was also popular in 5th century Athens.
04 Athens: capital of Attica, one of the Greek
states which grew up around the Acropolis and became the center of culture,
literature and the arts of the ancient world.
05 Athenian Bee: Plato was
called the ‘Bee of Athens’,
because when he was in his cradle a swarm of bees alighted on his mouth. His words flowed with the sweetness of
honey. St. Ambrose and Xenophon also
had this title.
06 Consentes Dii: the 12 Athenian Gods: Jupiter, Apollo, Neptune, Mars, Mercury,
Vulcan, Juno, Diana, Minerva, Venus, Ceres and Vesta. 
