Who is this god Minerva? Minerva is the goddess of wisdom and just war. What does the Goddess teach

# Beliefs

Minerva is the Roman and Etruscan goddess of wisdom, creativity, inner skills and crafts. She was the patroness of artisans, all people whose hands followed their minds. The name "Minerva" itself comes from the ancient root "mind". In the picture above, Goddess Minerva is depicted with her sacred olive tree. She wears an aegis, which is a breastplate with snakes on the edges, and an owl like headdress, which identifies her as the goddess of death and the deepest mysteries.

What does the Goddess teach?

Minerva has come to tell you: “It is time to examine your beliefs and change them if they are not building your integrity.” Old, worn out, unhealthy thoughts sabotage your life, your energy, and your happiness. Do you believe what other people think and/or say about you? Perhaps you are still living with traumatic experiences of negative situations that you received from your parents or guardians as a child? Which would you rather believe: the worst or the best about yourself? Are your beliefs too rigid so that they do not hinder your development and, on the contrary, even support it?

We are all born with a story. It is our choice whether we want to live the story we were born with or create a new one. The Goddess Minerva says that wholeness is enriched when you see yourself with all your parts, both dark and light, and choose those beliefs that will serve your highest good.

Goddess Ritual: What's in my attic?

Find a time and place where and when no one will disturb you. Sit or lie down with your back straight and close your eyes. Open your sacred space and light a candle. Take a deep breath: inhale air into all parts of your body, allowing it to fill you as if you were hot-air balloon. When you feel completely full, exhale. Take another deep breath and exhale.

Close your eyes and sense, feel or see the stairs leading up to the attic. This could be an attic that you know well, or one that you come up with yourself. Go up the stairs. There is a door at the top of the stairs. You're wearing a pendant with a carved antique key. Take this key and open the door with it. You enter the room: there are shelves on one of the walls. Look on the shelves and find a box with the inscription "beliefs".

Take the box and open it, there are your beliefs. Reach your hand into the box, pull out one belief, and examine it. After you finish studying and are satisfied with the result, ask yourself the question: “Does this belief bring me great benefit/integrity?” If you answer yes, put it back in the box and get another one. If you answer “no,” then change the belief to one that will serve you, that will bring you pleasant sensations. Repeat your new belief several times and feel it sink into your heart, into your consciousness. Allow yourself to feel the joy of having this new faith.

When you're done, put the new and improved belief back in the box and put it on the shelf. Lock the door to the attic with your key. Go down the stairs. When you come down, at the foot of the stairs, take a deep breath and slowly exhale, return to your body. Close

Goddess Minerva in Italian mythology - the goddess of belligerence and lightning speed. The Etruscans worshiped her as the goddess of inventions, any discoveries, as well as the lightning-fast mountain goddess.

At the very main holiday The ancient Roman Quinquatrus, held in honor of Minerva, indicates the fact that she was a warrior goddess. Generals, after brilliant victories, brought gifts and dedications to Minerva, which hints at her involvement with the goddesses of war. Built by Pompey on the Campus Martius, the temple was erected in honor of the goddess Minerva.

In addition to all of the above, this goddess was revered as the patroness of craft and art. Minera patronized doctors, poets, woolsmiths, sculptors and others.

Minerva, in Roman mythology, the goddess of wisdom, art, war and cities, patroness of artisans. There is an assumption that the cult of Minerva has Phrygian roots. The Romans considered the goddess equal to Juno and Jupiter; she was part of the pantheon of the main Roman gods, the so-called Capitoline triad, to which the temple on the Capitol was dedicated.

IN Greek mythology there is an analogue of Minerva - Athena the Warrior. Just like Athena, Minerva was the patroness of military affairs; after battles, great commanders sacrificed some of their best trophies to her. The ancient Romans attributed to Minerva the patronage of doctors, teachers, sculptors, musicians and poets. Worshipers of the goddess organized festivals in her honor - quinquatria, at which teachers and artisans received payment for teaching children.

Minerva was usually depicted in armor and a helmet with a spear in her hands or with an owl in one hand and a snake in the other. The owl is a symbol of nightly reflections, and the snake is a symbol of wisdom. The cult of the goddess was widespread throughout Italy, but only in Rome was she revered for her warlike character.

The name Minerva may have come from the Indo-European root "man", from which intellect and mind were also derived. However, the non-Indo-European Etruscan people had a goddess Menrwa, so the name may be of completely unknown origin.

Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter and Metis. She was believed to be a virgin warrior goddess, patron of poetry, medicine, wisdom, trade, crafts, and was considered the inventor of music. Like Minerva Medisa, she was the goddess of medicine and doctors.

Adapting the Greek myths of Athena, the Romans said that Minerva was not born in the usual way, but rather jumped out fully armed from her father's brain; this image has captivated Western authors and artists through the centuries.

Ovdi called her the goddess of a thousand works. Minerva was worshiped throughout Italy, although it was only in Rome that she acquired a warlike character. Minerva is usually depicted wearing chain mail and a helmet, and carrying a spear.

In the temple on Capitol Hill she was worshiped along with Jupiter and Juno, with whom she formed a powerful triad of gods of Ancient Rome. Another temple of hers was located on the Aventine Hill. The Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is based on the remains of one of its temples.

Every year from March 19 to 23, the Quinquatria festival was held, the originally named festival was Minerva. This festival was mainly celebrated by artisans, but also by students. On June 13 the junior Quinquatrus was celebrated. Minerva is believed to be the inventor of numbers and musical instruments.

She is thought to be of Etruscan origin, like the goddess Menrva or Menerva. Later they began to compare and contrast it with greek goddess Athena. At the beginning of the 20th century, Manuel José Estrada Cabrera, the President of Guatemala, tried to promote the Cult of Minerva in his country. According to legend, playing card The Queen of Spades represents Minerva.

The Romans celebrated her festival from March 19 to March 23 during days called Quinquatria, the festival of the artisans. A smaller version, Minusculae Quinquatria, was performed on June 13, by flutists who especially paid homage to her religion. In 207 BC. a guild of poets and actors was formed to perform votives in the Temple of Minerva on the Aventine Hill. Among others among its participants was Livius Andronicus. The Temple of Minerva on the Aventine Hill continued to be an important arts center for much of the middle Roman Republic.

Minerva was also worshiped on Capitol Hill as one of the Capitoline Triad along with Jupiter and Juno, in the Temple of Minerva Medica, and in the Temple of Minerva, the latter temple founded around 50 BC. in Pompeii, where the modern church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva stands

Minerva was part of the divine trinity, which, besides her, included Jupiter and Juno- Apparently, this was a direct borrowing from the Etruscans of their divine trinity: Tini, Uni and Menrva.

Sources: ezoterical.ru, godsbay.ru, romana.su, otvet.mail.ru, zaumnik.ru

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Athena (Greek) Minerva (Roman) Athena goddess of wisdom, knowledge and just war, patroness of cities and states, sciences and crafts. She was one of the most revered goddesses in Greece, rivaling Zeus in importance. She was his equal in strength and wisdom. She was distinguished by her independence and was proud of the fact that she remained a virgin forever.

Genealogy. Daughter of Zeus and Metis. Zeus's favorite daughter was born by him in an amazingly sophisticated way. The goddess of reason, Metis, was to give birth to a daughter and a son of extraordinary intelligence and strength. The Moirai predicted to Zeus that he would be overthrown by her son.

To avoid this, Zeus swallowed Metis, but after a while he felt a terrible headache and ordered Hephaestus to cut off his head. The warrior Pallas Athena emerged from the split skull of Zeus in full armor with a helmet, spear and shield. Epithets. “Tritonida” or “Tritogenea” (due to its birthplace at Lake Triton in Libya), “Owl-eyed”, “Motley snake”, “Worker”, “City”, “City Defender”, “Savior”, “Brotherly”, “ Soviet".

Attributes and symbols. Olive, owl (symbol of wisdom) and snake. She was the patroness of snakes (she lived in the temple in Athens huge snake guard of the Acropolis). Iconography. Athena was depicted as Pallas (the victorious warrior) or Polyada (the patroness of cities and states). From the name of Pallas comes the word “palladium” (a wooden image of Athena that had miraculous effects). The city that owned palladium was considered under the patronage of the goddess. There was a legend about the palladium kept in Troy, which said that it fell from the sky. After Trojan War Aeneas brought it to Rome and since then the palladium has been kept in the Temple of Vesta.

She was considered the founder of the Areopagus the highest state court of Athens, the inventor of the chariot and ship, flute and trumpet, ceramic pot, rake, plow, yoke for oxen and bridle for horses. She taught us weaving, spinning and cooking. She helped Hercules in the fight against the Stymphalian birds, the giant Geryon, Perseus in defeating the gorgon Medusa, and Prometheus in stealing fire for people.

Among the victims of Athena are the princess Arachne, who was transformed by the goddess into a spider, and Tiresias, who accidentally saw her while bathing and was blinded by the goddess for this. As a consolation, he was endowed with the gift of prophecy. In the dispute for the possession of Attica and for the right to give a name to the city (later Athens), Poseidon defeated. The dispute, which took place on the hill of Ares, was decided by twelve gods, including Zeus, whose gift to Attica was more valuable. Poseidon knocked out a salty spring from a barren rock with a trident (according to another legend, he created a horse), and Athena plunged a spear deep into the ground and a sacred olive tree grew.

Athena Campana is named after the owner of the collection in which she was located, the Marquis Campana. She is depicted in the long ceremonial robe of Greek women - peplos, over which is thrown a cloak. Worship center. In Attica, Athena was the main deity of the country and city of Athens, the patroness of the Athenians. Athens reached its greatest power and prosperity under Pericles. New buildings on the acropolis were erected in 16 years. A wide marble staircase led to the Acropolis, a rocky hill located in the center of Athens. Having climbed the stairs, the traveler approached the Propylaea - the main entrance to the acropolis. Through the Propylaea, the “road of sacred processions” opened onto a vast square, where stood a gigantic bronze statue of Athena Promachos (leader in battle), cast by Phidias. The shine of the goddess’s golden helmet and spear was seen by sailors who were far out to sea. Above all the buildings of the acropolis stood the Parthenon, the temple of the Virgin Athena, which was the main temple of the goddess (“Parthenos” translated from Greek as “virgin”). The entire temple, including the roof tiles, was built from white Pentelic marble. The length of the temple was 69.5 m, width 31 m, i.e. its area was more than 2 square meters. km. The building was surrounded by 40 columns 10.43 m high. In the center of the temple stood a giant statue of Athena by Phidias, covered with gold and ivory. Thin plates of ivory covered the face and hands of the goddess; the cloak, helmet and shield were made of gold. The width of the base of the statue was 8 m, the height of the statue was 12 m. In the 17th century. The Turks, who owned Greece, built a gunpowder warehouse in the Parthenon, which exploded, destroying half of the ancient temple.

Every year in August the Panathenaea (“all-Athensian”) was held, dedicated to all “directions of activity” of Athens at once. Once every four years, the Great Panathenaea was held with musical and gymnastic competitions. The celebrations began at night with a torchlight procession and ended with a festive procession of the Athenians.

The procession ascended the sacred road and entered the temple to present a peplos as a gift to Athena, a robe woven by the hands of noble Athenians from the finest expensive wool with gold embroidery. “Panathenaic amphoras” with a volume of 26 liters were prepared especially for the holiday, on which scenes of competitions and the goddess herself were depicted. An amphora filled with olive oil went to the winner of the competition. The cups awarded to winners today originate from these amphorae. The holidays of the first germination of bread, the beginning of the harvest, the giving of dew for crops, and the turning away of rain were dedicated to Athena.

Minerva goddess of war, arts, sciences and crafts, patroness of cities and the peaceful pursuits of their inhabitants. She was part of the divine Capitoline triad along with Jupiter and Juno. Genealogy. Daughter of Jupiter. The word “Capta” was added to the name of Minerva, meaning “capital” (from the Latin caput head). This emphasized that anyone who steals from her temple is responsible to the goddess with his head. Holidays in her honor were held in the second half of March and lasted five days (large quinquatria) or from June 13 and lasted three days (small quinquatria). Sacrifices: cakes, honey and oil.

The name Minerva may have come from the Indo-European root "man", from which intellect and mind were also derived. However, the non-Indo-European Etruscan people had a goddess Menrva, so the name may be of completely unknown origin.

Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter and Metis. She was believed to be a virgin warrior goddess, patron of poetry, medicine, wisdom, trade, crafts, and was considered the inventor of music. As Minerva Medica, she was the goddess of medicine and doctors.

Adapting the Greek myths of Athena, the Romans said that Minerva was not born in the usual way, but rather jumped out fully armed from her father's brain; this image has captivated Western authors and artists through the centuries.

Ovdi called her the goddess of a thousand works. Minerva was worshiped throughout Italy, although it was only in Rome that she acquired a warlike character. Minerva is usually depicted wearing chain mail and a helmet, and carrying a spear.

In the temple on Capitol Hill she was worshiped along with Jupiter and Juno, with whom she formed a powerful triad of gods of Ancient Rome.

Another temple of hers was located on the Aventine Hill. The Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is based on the remains of one of its temples.

Every year from March 19 to 23, the Quinquatria festival was held, originally named the festival of Minerva. This festival was mainly celebrated by artisans, but also by students. On June 13 the junior Quinquatrus was celebrated. Minerva is believed to be the inventor of numbers and musical instruments.

She is thought to be of Etruscan origin, like the goddess Menrva or Menerva. Later she began to be compared and contrasted with the Greek goddess Athena. At the beginning of the 20th century, Manuel Jose Estrada Cabrera, President of Guatemala, tried to promote the Cult of Minerva in his country. According to legend, the Queen of Spades playing card represents Minerva.

The Romans celebrated her festival from March 19 to March 23 during days called Quinquatria, the festival of the artisans. A smaller version, Minusculae Quinquatria, was performed on June 13, by flutists who especially paid homage to her religion. In 207 BC, a guild of poets and actors was formed to perform votive acts in the Temple of Minerva on the Aventine Hill. Among others among its participants was Livius Andronicus. The Temple of Minerva on the Aventine Hill continued to be an important arts center for much of the middle Roman Republic.

Minerva was also worshiped on Capitol Hill as one of the Capitoline Triad along with Jupiter and Juno, in the Temple of Minerva Medica, and in the Temple of Minerva, the latter temple founded around 50 BC. in Pompeii, where the modern church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva stands (near the modern Piazza della Minerva and the Pantheon).

Ancient Olympus... Which of its inhabitants do we know? A common person unless he can name Zeus or Jupiter. However, the Romans and Greeks populated their skies with a huge number of patrons and rulers. Do you know who Minerva is? What did this goddess dispose of? In what cases did you contact her? Let's take a closer look at this extraordinary character. Perhaps you will agree with the opinion of the ancient peoples that Minerva is the most respected and revered in mythology.

Whose is it - Greek or Roman?

This question will probably be asked by any person who is interested in Minerva. The goddess appears in the mythology of both named peoples. Only the ancient Greeks called her Athena. Otherwise, the images echoed each other. The Roman goddess Minerva was originally devoid of warlike qualities. She was considered the patroness of people in creative professions. These included artisans and philosophers, poets and sculptors. Home craftswomen also came to her for inspiration. Minerva is the goddess of women's needlework, ancient Roman women believed. However, the Greeks also worshiped her bright image. They built temples to Minerva, calling her Athena. The goddess was revered for wisdom, justice and prudence. In addition, as the inhabitants of Ancient Greece believed, she protected cities and states, gave ideas and thoughts to scientists, and Creative skills- artisans.

The legend of how Minerva was born

A goddess with such extraordinary talents could not have been born like a mere mortal. Her story is full of barbaric charm and deceit. It is believed that Minerva is the favorite daughter of Zeus. And he gave birth to it himself, in an unusual and perverted way. The Moirai whispered to him that his own son from the wise Metis would be the cause of his death. Zeus was not happy with this turn of events, naturally. The same soothsayers warned him that Metis was pregnant. Opposite-sex twins of strength and extraordinary intelligence should be born. Without thinking for long, Zeus swallowed his wife. After a certain time, he began to suffer from a severe headache. To get rid of her, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to cut his skull. From her father’s head, Minerva, the goddess of warriors and fair warriors, appeared to the world. She was fully armed and wearing a helmet.

Minerva symbols

This goddess gave humanity many attributes, which are now emblazoned on coats of arms and banners. Thus, the olive branch represents justice and calm development, the desire of people for peace. The goddess Minerva is also associated with the owl. This is a symbol of wisdom among many peoples. The owl observes more than fusses, and does not take rash actions. The power of the goddess is represented by a huge snake. She was depicted in temples, on frescoes, and household items. It was believed that the building where this image is present is protected by the goddess Minerva. Since she was considered one of the most powerful inhabitants of heaven, many people worshiped her. Her image could be found in almost any home. Craftsmen expected help from her in their work, statesmen craved patronage in political intrigues. And women looked for success in their household chores in her image. In Ancient Greece, her images in temples were of two types. Pallas was considered an invincible warrior. Polyada was the defender of cities and states, a kind of judge and prosecutor rolled into one.

Miracles and Minerva

The warrior goddess was often embodied in marble and wood. The name “palladium” comes from this sculptural work. In fact, this is a wooden image of a divine warrior. People believed (and many still believe this today) that it has miraculous properties. This image protected the legendary Troy. Everyone sincerely believed the legend about the divine origin of the palladium there. It was allegedly given to the city by Minerva herself. The goddess of war, unfortunately, did not save Troy from falling. The magical palladium was transported to Rome and placed in the Temple of Vesta. Since then, it is believed that he has been there, protecting the inhabitants of the Eternal City from all sorts of troubles.

Ancient Roman goddess Minerva

There is such a thing as the “Capitolian triad”. It means the main ancient Roman gods. Among them is Minerva. She was venerated in the Capitol along with Juno and Jupiter. So to speak, having moved to Rome, Minerva loses some of her belligerence. In this city she was considered the patroness of all kinds of crafts, handicrafts and arts. When a person begins to understand, Minerva is the goddess of what Ancient Rome, then she is faced with a whole list of professionals who considered her their guardian. She was worshiped by artists, musicians, teachers and poets. As in Athens, women always brought her image into the house. Minerva patronized them during the lessons creative activity or handicrafts. But the warriors did not forget about the goddess. She was depicted on shields and armor as a talisman against evil. Nowadays such artifacts can be seen in museums.

Image of Minerva

The warrior had several mandatory attributes. The goddess Minerva (photo) was presented to the public as a female warrior. She always had a spear in her hands, with which she was born. The head, as a rule, was decorated with a red helmet. In addition, an owl and a snake were depicted nearby. These were her personal symbols. The owl spoke of the thoughtfulness and attentiveness of the resident of heaven. She also told the man that Minerva could not be deceived. And in case of such an attempt - unsuccessful, as the image promised - there was a snake in the hands or on the helmet. She promised fair and inevitable punishment for the sinner or villain. It should be noted that she was honored not for her stern disposition, but for her love of beauty. Any talented person, as the ancient people were sure, could count on her special attitude and indispensable assistance in his work.

Holidays in honor of the goddess

People gathered for celebrations dedicated to Minerva at the end of March. They lasted for five whole days, and were called “quinquatria”. Representatives of all professions patronized by the goddess took part in the festivities. The students were especially pleased with such events. It was a kind of vacation. On the first day of the quinquatorium, students were ordered not to study, but to bring payment to their teacher for their work. It is interesting that during the period described there were no military operations. If they started earlier, they were sure to be interrupted.

All citizens were supposed to honor the goddess, make sacrifices and celebrate along with other people. By the way, Minerva did not demand bloody alms. They offered her cakes flavored with butter and honey. Trumpeters especially loved these celebrations. It was a highly respected profession in ancient Rome. Her representatives accompanied everyone significant events(funerals, rites and ceremonies). At the end of the quinquatria, the trumpeters blessed their instruments.

The first creative association

This is believed to be the college of writers and actors, created in Rome back in the distant year two hundred and seven. Then Livius Andronicus, a poet and writer of plays, was held in high esteem in the city. He decided to unite his colleagues around the Temple of Minerva. She became their patron and inspirer. Later, other peaceful professionals began to worship her. Among them are doctors and musicians, teachers and needlewomen. So, if you hear the question: “Minerva is the goddess of what?”, do not get confused. We can say that she patronizes the liberating soldiers (justice) and social sphere. There will be no mistake in this.

Gladiator games

Rome could not have achieved its unfading glory if not for its traditions. In honor of Minerva, gladiator fights were held there. This was the goddess of beauty. Ancient people considered strength and dexterity to be outstanding qualities, no worse. Interestingly, the winners of the competition were presented with special amphorae. They were made for this celebration. The amphoras were decorated with scenes of the competitions themselves and the figure of Minerva. They were usually filled with oil. Do you understand where the currently accepted cups came from? Precisely from those ancient traditions that existed before our era. In Athens, Minerva was presented with precious fabrics created by the hands of famous women of the city. They were taken to the temple in a solemn procession.

Features of the ancient Greek Minerva

Let's call the goddess Athena. Basically, it's the same thing. The Greeks revered her as the founder of the Areopagus. This was the name of the highest state Minerva (Athena) and is credited with the invention of ships and the construction of the first chariot. It was believed that it was this deity who gave people trumpets and flutes and taught them how to make ceramic dishes and spin. She also told how food should be prepared. Many legends about Athena have survived to this day. She is involved in the struggle of Hercules with the giant and the Stymphalian birds. And Perseus, without her spear, would not have been able to cope with Minerva and victims. So, according to legend, she turned Princess Arachne into a spider. Tiresias lost his sight altogether because he saw Minerva naked while bathing. Then the goddess took pity on him and endowed him with a prophetic gift. The Athenians loved celebrations dedicated to this deity. People whose fields were adjacent gathered together and had feasts. Sacrifice was obligatory. Cake cakes and honey were carried to the temple.

Disputes of the Gods

People in ancient times endowed the celestials with their own ideas about good and evil. This is clearly noticeable when studying the actions of the gods, it is interesting to observe from the point of view of the current, by no means perfect morality. Just one deprivation of Tiresias' sight - just think, admired the beauty of the uniquely young and beautiful body! Even ancient people believed that the gods fought for their attention. So, the celestials argued about who the main city would be named after. ancient Greece. They staged a kind of competition. In it, Minerva confronted Poseidon. They were judged by twelve deities led by Zeus. Poseidon is credited with creating the horse. According to other sources, he created a salty spring in the rocks with a blow of a trident. Minerva gave the people olive groves. They turned out to be more valuable in the eyes of people. The city was named after her - Athens.

Bottom line: who did Minerva patronize?

It is probably quite difficult for a non-professional to understand her preferences. What to do? In ancient times, such a clear division into professions did not exist. This goddess was worshiped by doctors and teachers, artists and artisans. Those who had to organize city life came to her for blessings. Warriors of all nations also did not forget about Minerva. She cared about peaceful life and came to the rescue in the days of battle. The main thing that distinguishes her from other deities is her concern for the territory and the people living on it. She may be the first known symbol of normal state power. Or in other words, people’s dreams about such. In any case, her image united and supported the townspeople in times of danger or battles. Therefore, Minerva gained the glory of the goddess of a just war.