Ancient Greek and Roman Myths Notes

Athena, Greek goddess identified in Rome with Minerva, the daughter of Zeus and Metis. Metis was pregnant and was about to give birth to a child when Zeus swallowed her. When the child was to be born Zeus felt terrible headaches and bade Hephaestus to split his head open with a blow. A girl in full armour sprang forth from his head; it was the goddess Athena.
See: Alessandro BotticelliPallas/Camilla and the Centaur.
Jacques-Louis David. The Combat of Mars and Minerva.
Gustav Klimt. Pallas Athena.
Andrea Mantegna. Minerva Chases the Vices from the Garden of Virtue.
Rembrandt. Minerva.