In Greek mythology, Athena, the shrewd companion of heroes, became the goddess of wisdom, as philosophy became applied to cult in the later fifth century. She remained the patroness of weaving, crafts and the more disciplined side of war. Athena’s wisdom also includes the cunning intelligence (metis) of such figures as Odysseus. She is attended by an owl, and is often accompanied by the goddess of victory, Nike. Wearing a goatskin breastplate called the Aegis given to her by her father, Zeus, she is often shown helmeted and with a shield bearing the Gorgon Medusa’s head, a votive gift of Perseus.
