Athena's Names, Epithets & Symbols

Explore Athena's names and epithets, including Pallas, Polias and Nike, alongside the owl, olive tree, aegis and other symbols in ancient sources and art.

Explore Athena's Names, Epithets & Symbols

• Athena Polias

  Of the city

• Athena Parthenos

  Maiden or virgin

• Athena Nike

  Victory

• Athena Ergane

  Worker

• Athena Promachos

  Fighting in the front rank

• Pallas Athena

  An ancient designation with several explanations

• Athena Tritogeneia

  An ancient name whose meaning remains disputed

• Athena Glaukopis

  Often translated bright eyed or gray eyed

• Athena Lindia

  At Lindos on Rhodes, Athena was honored as Athana Lindia. The local form of her name and the sanctuary’s dedications make this a specific Rhodian religious identity. The Lindian Chronicle also records traditions about gifts and appearances of the goddess. Begin with the sanctuary rather than assuming that Athenian customs explain everything about it.

• Athena Alea

  At Tegea in Arcadia, Athena Alea presided over a major sanctuary. Pausanias describes its temple, images, and objects, while archaeological remains and the local museum make its material history accessible. Alea is a local cult title; a neat English translation should not replace the evidence of the place itself.

• Athena Pronaia

  At Delphi, Athena’s sanctuary lay on the eastern approach to the sanctuary of Apollo. Pronaia is commonly understood in relation to that position before the temple. The title belongs to a distinct sanctuary complex, including several building phases. It should not be used to identify the famous circular Tholos as the temple of Athena without qualification.

• Athena Hygieia

  Pausanias mentions Athena Hygieia, Athena in a healing or health-related aspect, on the Athenian Acropolis. This title enlarges the picture of the armed goddess by drawing attention to well-being. It provides historical evidence for a divine concern with health, without making every modern healing practice an ancient Athenaic tradition.