Minerva is a prominent Roman Goddess. She presides over justice, victory, law, strategic warfare, art, crafting, music, medicine, wisdom, and trade. It is believed that her name means 'intelligent, understanding'.
Minerva is often paired with the Greek Goddess Athena, and her origin story very much mirrors that of Athena. Jupiter forced himself on the titan Metis, who then shapeshifted to escape him. Knowing of the prophecy that one of his children would overthrow him as King of the Gods, he tricked Metis into shapeshifting into a fly, and then swallowed her. However, from within Jupiter, Metis gave birth to Minerva and set to work forging her armour and weapons. The constant smithing caused Jupiter great pain, and in order to relieve the pain the God Vulcan sent a hammer to split Jupiter's head. It is from the wound in his head that Minerva emerged, fully grown and clothed in battle armour. She is described as a 'virgin Goddess', although often 'virgin' means 'never married'.
Again, many of the Greek Athena's tales and myths are attributed to Minerva. As Athena created the olive tree after a competition as to who would name Athens with Poseidon, it is said that Minerva created the olive tree after a competition with Neptune.
Other tales include how the mortal Arachne was weaving a tapestry depicting the shortcomings of the Gods which offended Minerva. She touched Arachne's forehead and instantly the woman felt shame at what she had done, and hung herself. Feeling bad for her, Minerva resurrected Arachne, but in the form of her spider, so that hanging from her web would forever be a reminder of her offence towards the Gods. Minerva was also the Goddess that changed Medusa into a snake-haired monster whose gaze turned men to stone, after Neptune forced himself on Medusa in Minerva's temple. When Perseus eventually beheaded Medusa, the winged horse Pegasus rose from her blood, and Minerva tamed Pegasus and gifted it to Bellerophon. She aided the heroes Hercules and Ulysses in their quests, and is even said to have invented the flute! However, she hated how she looked when she played it, and so threw it on a river bank where it was found by a Satyr.
Minerva is often paired with the Greek Goddess Athena, and her origin story very much mirrors that of Athena. Jupiter forced himself on the titan Metis, who then shapeshifted to escape him. Knowing of the prophecy that one of his children would overthrow him as King of the Gods, he tricked Metis into shapeshifting into a fly, and then swallowed her. However, from within Jupiter, Metis gave birth to Minerva and set to work forging her armour and weapons. The constant smithing caused Jupiter great pain, and in order to relieve the pain the God Vulcan sent a hammer to split Jupiter's head. It is from the wound in his head that Minerva emerged, fully grown and clothed in battle armour. She is described as a 'virgin Goddess', although often 'virgin' means 'never married'.
Again, many of the Greek Athena's tales and myths are attributed to Minerva. As Athena created the olive tree after a competition as to who would name Athens with Poseidon, it is said that Minerva created the olive tree after a competition with Neptune.
Other tales include how the mortal Arachne was weaving a tapestry depicting the shortcomings of the Gods which offended Minerva. She touched Arachne's forehead and instantly the woman felt shame at what she had done, and hung herself. Feeling bad for her, Minerva resurrected Arachne, but in the form of her spider, so that hanging from her web would forever be a reminder of her offence towards the Gods. Minerva was also the Goddess that changed Medusa into a snake-haired monster whose gaze turned men to stone, after Neptune forced himself on Medusa in Minerva's temple. When Perseus eventually beheaded Medusa, the winged horse Pegasus rose from her blood, and Minerva tamed Pegasus and gifted it to Bellerophon. She aided the heroes Hercules and Ulysses in their quests, and is even said to have invented the flute! However, she hated how she looked when she played it, and so threw it on a river bank where it was found by a Satyr.
A festival was held from March 19th to March 23rd which celebrated Minerva in her various forms, especially in her form as a Goddess of crafting, music, and poetry. A lesser version of the festival was also held on June 13th, and there are instances of cows being sacrificed to her (along with other Gods) to celebrate and secure the well-being of several Emperors.
When the Roman's invaded and subsequently ruled Britain, they often twinned their own deities with existing deities. For example, in the city of Bath a Goddess named Sulis was worshipped, who became Sulis-Minerva. There is also evidence of Minerva being worshipped at Carrawburgh and Chester.
Symbols associated with Minerva include the owl, as the owl was often seen as a creature that embodied wisdom and knowledge. Other symbols include the snake, the olive tree, the spear, and the spindle. She is often depicted in full battle armour. With so many associations, there is a lot that Minerva can be called upon to aid you with - in fact, Ovid referred to her as the 'Goddess of a thousand works' because of it.
When the Roman's invaded and subsequently ruled Britain, they often twinned their own deities with existing deities. For example, in the city of Bath a Goddess named Sulis was worshipped, who became Sulis-Minerva. There is also evidence of Minerva being worshipped at Carrawburgh and Chester.
Symbols associated with Minerva include the owl, as the owl was often seen as a creature that embodied wisdom and knowledge. Other symbols include the snake, the olive tree, the spear, and the spindle. She is often depicted in full battle armour. With so many associations, there is a lot that Minerva can be called upon to aid you with - in fact, Ovid referred to her as the 'Goddess of a thousand works' because of it.
