Classical Mythology, 7th Edition - obinfonet: dia logou

ATHENA 165
Athena. Detail from an Attic red-figure amphora by the Andocides Painter, ca. 520 B.c.;
height of vase 22V2 in. Athena is armed with helmet, spear, and shield, and her aegis is
tasseled with snakes, with a Gorgon's head at the center. On the vase she stands at the
left watching Heracles and Apollo struggling for the Pythian tripod (see 534-535 and illustration
on p. 535). (Staatliches Museum, Berlin, Photograph courtesy of Hirmer Verlag,
Miinchen.)
Lydia worshiped her divine presence; Arachne alone felt no awe. Yet she
blushed; a sudden flush stole over her face in spite of herself and as suddenly
faded, like the red glow of the sky when Dawn first glows just before the heavens
begin to whiten with the sun's rising. Obstinately she held to her course and
rushed to destruction in her foolish desire for the prize. Jupiter's daughter resisted
no more; she offered her no more advice; no more did she put off the
competition.