Athene: Virgin and Mother in Greek Religion (Dunquin Series: No. 9) [Paperback]

Karl Kerenyi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dunquin Series: No. 9 | Publication Date: January 1, 1978

Translated from the German, with psychological afterthoughts, by Murray Stein Athene, the goddess who affects the fates of both women and men, unites the virginal father s daughter and the encouraging mother of the spirit. Karl Kerényi's careful rendering of the many aspects of her mythos demonstrates a profound understanding of feminine intelligence both in its fierceness and it darker animal nature especially apparent in the symbolism of owl, goat, horse, and Gorgon. The archetypal image of Athene provides a mythological background of communal and political consciousness, individuality, and the power of mind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Awesome Goddess who affects the fates of both women and men, Athene unites the virginal father's daughter and the encouraging mother of the spirit. Karl Kerenyi's careful rendering of the many aspects of her mythos demonstrates a profound understanding of feminine intelligence, both in its fierceness and its darker animal nature (especially apparent in the symbolism of owl, goat, horse, and Gorgon). The archetypal image of Athene provides a mythological background of communal and political consciousness, individuality and the power of mind. The result of meticulous and articulate scholarship, Athene is further enhanced with a psychological postscript by Murray Stein. Highly recommended reading! -- Midwest Book Review

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Spring Publications; Revised edition (January 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882142097
• ISBN-13: 978-0882142098
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Look At An Ancient Goddess, August 12, 2001

By 

celane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Athene: Virgin and Mother in Greek Religion (Dunquin Series: No. 9) (Paperback)

Pallas Athene is commonly viewed as a bright, shining goddess of wisdom, crafts (including happy-fuzzies such as weaving), and the art of war. Yet no Greek deity is without flaws and secrets, and Athene has more than her fair share. Kerenyi offers a 94-page essay which delves into areas that -will- throw your views of the Goddess into doubt and disarray. Out of the raging headache brought on by entirely too much information, a new Athene will spring, full-grown and fully rounded, and you will never look at Her the same way again.

This is a good thing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vessel of the Sacred Fire, September 13, 2010

By 

Muttley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Athene: Virgin and Mother in Greek Religion (Dunquin Series: No. 9) (Paperback)

Kerenyi traces the origin of the name "Athena" to an Etruscan root denoting a "kind of vessel [or] dish" and associates this with ritual vessels used in temples to hold an ever-burning flame, hence: "Vessel of the sacred fire." For Kerenyi, Athena is at the core of ancient Greek religion. She was second only to Zeus in terms of worship received, far surpassing Hera as a representative of the feminine principle. Kerenyi attempts to unpack the rich complexities of this figure. Why was Athena so appealing to the Greeks (and to many still today)? How could such a strong warrior-woman figure flourish in the Zeus-dominated, increasingly patriarchal Greek world? Kerenyi suggests (among other things) that Athena represents a last survival of an ancient matriarchal tradition based on goddess-worship which managed to survive so far into the current era partly by accommodating itself to the new patriarchal order. She was still a rich, powerful, living figure up until the Romans took over and turned her into Minerva, who had much less significance in the new pantheon. This book is indispensable for anyone wanting to delve into the depths behind the figure of the mythological Athena!