The citizens of the city now known as Athens spoke
highly of their city, as did all ancient Greeks of their own city. Yet
when the gods looked down on all of Greece no city could equal that of the city
we now call Athens. All the gods knew that whoever would be the patron god
of this city would be highly venerated in a city that would become like no
other. When the citizens of Athens prayed for a god to become their
protector the gods of Olympus heard and two of them rushed each hoping to
become the patron god of the city.
Athena and Poseidon
appeared before the citizens of the city, and spoke to its' people, each hoping
that their words would sway them and make them be chosen as the sole guardian of
the city. Poseidon argued that he was the elder of the two, the God of the
sea which the inhabitants of the seafaring city depended on, with his protection
they would become masters of the sea. Athena then argued against Poseidon
saying that what she could teach them was far more important then what Poseidon
could, for Poseidon she said may have been greater then her in age but not
necessarily in wisdom.
Half the citizens wanted Poseidon to be their god, for
they were a seafaring people. The other half wished the protection of the
goddess of wisdom and war. What better god argued the citizens who
supported Athena to have as a patron then the one that represents wisdom?
The leaders of the city decided that the only way to settle the issue was a competition
between the two gods. The god who would give the greatest gift to the
citizens of the city would become its' protector. The citizens
of the city would make the final decision on who would be their patron
god.
Athena and Poseidon agreed to this competition offered by the
citizens. Poseidon as the elder went first and rising his trident he
struck the ground bringing forth water. The citizens of Athens were
amazed, what is more glorious then the sea? They all asked. They all
went to drink from the water that sprang forth but then noticed it was
salty. The citizens began to look at one and other, what benefit was it to
them water that they could not even drink? What type of gift was this?
Athena then touched ground and from the ground sprouted a beautiful fully
grown olive tree. Athena then spoke with wisdom and told them, "With
my gift you will never grow hungry, nor will you every grow cold. For it
will give you olives to eat, oil to cook with, and the fire wood to warm your
homes."
The citizens of Athens gazed at the undrinkable water and the
olive tree. All agreed that Athena's gift was the gift that they would
keep. In her honor they named her patron goddess of the city, a
city that would now be called Athens after her. Athena would now be
the protector of the city of Athens, and with her protection her city
would become the glory of the ancient world.