ORIGIN Greek. Goddess of war and patron defender of many Greek cities.
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP circa 800 BC and earlier until Christianization (circa AD 400) and later.
SYNONYMS Athene; PALLAS ATHENAE (maiden goddess of Athens); MINERVA (Roman).
CENTER(S) OF CULT Athens but also Argos, Sparta, Gortyn, Larisa (Thessaly); Lindos and Ilion (Homer’s Troy).