There Is Nothing Better Than

(insert anthropologist documentary narration)

”The Polias Athenide, also known as Athenide of the City was often represented as a woman in her mid twenties or so. Her most frequent depiction in Athens as it is the city most often attributed as the city of her birth. She is often depicted standing upright with flowing robes and ornate jewelry. Thought to signify the luxury and sophistication of Athens. Most frescos or other artwork as the Polias Athenide in gold and blue robes. Again a signification of luxury and nobility. Almost all surviving depictions of the Polias Athenide contains some form of olives in jewelry or embroidery. Most often the olive leaves and fruits are arranged as a crown on her head in place of diadems or other headpieces. These are implications regarding the tale of her birth within Athens attributed to the Fountain and Olive mythos. Her hair is often shown to be unbound, signalling her eternal unwed status.

Scholarly debates often clash on if the Polias Athenide is intended to be represented as an eternal maiden as Athena is so often depicted as or as a woman who while not rejecting marriage, pursues other interests in place of a husband.

The Polias Athenide was thought to be worshipped as the representation of Loyalty to the Masses or the Union. Or the Loyalty born of patriotism. You may have seen modern depictions of this goddess in your local government buildings along with the goddesses of Justice and Freedom.”

“The Kourotrophos Athenide is one of the most enduring depictions of this goddess. Called Athenide of the Children. She is the representation of the care and maternal nature of the Athenide. This depiction is often veiled and wears simple jewlery; typically shells or stone beads. Leaf or otter embroidery is included in her clothing if there is any embroidery at all as she is often humbly or modestly dressed in blue and white. She is often depicted as a nurturing guide to demigod children or orphans. She was worshipped as the goddess of orphans and the representation of the Loyalty found between family members.

Interestingly, in ancient history as Rome was embracing the ideals of christianity; Though the Roman empire forbade any ostentatious worship of any form of the Athenide, the early christians would often find and worship this form of the Athenide. Many renaissance artists utilitized imagery of the Kourotrophos Athenide for inspiration of the Holy Virgin Mother Mary.

This is the depiction of the Athenide considered the adoptive mother of Dionysus (God of Wine, Madness, and Theater) and the goddess who carried and birthed the god Asclepius (God of Medicine and Healing) via c-section. She is considered the Patron goddess of adoption and surrogacy. Modern fertility clinics, adoption agencies, and maternity wards will have artwork or symbolism of this depiction.”

“The Nymphia Athenide or the Bride Athenide is often spoken of in relation to the well-known mythos ‘The Raven and the Owl’ or ‘The Bird Race’ or in relation to the romantic but unfulfilled desires of Apollo and the other gods whom wanted to pursue the Athenide but were stopped.

She is the most ornate of all the depictions of the Athenide. Often found in bright colors and veiled in a golden or orange bridal veil with flowers or gems. Usually seen as a girl in her early to late teens and often shown looking behind herself or over the shoulder. As though she waiting for someone to arrive. The eternal bride waiting for her bridegoom.

This is the Athenide depiction often seen in artwork together with Apollo (God of the Sun, Archery, and The Arts). She is the depiction of Loyalty between romantic partners and was often invoked by young engaged couples or brides before their wedding for successful unions.

She is the depiction of the Athenide often found in television, movie, or book adaptations.”

“The Euploia Athenide or Athenide of Good Sailing is the most frequently seen as a child. A young girl often holding or wearing a net. She is thought of to be a companion or associated with Hermes in psychopomp duties as she is the goddess who delivers those lost at see to the Underworld.

Typically shown wearing blue or green clothes and simple jewelry. Some depictions show her with the wings of an albatross or albatross feathers on her clothing. This Athenide is less commonly also shown with seals as well in her clothing or artwork.

She is the goddess to whom sailors pray to for a safe journey. Often presenting her with humble offerings of small toys or handmade items made during a successful journey.

She is the depiction of Loyalty between crew members or sailors and the sea.

Modern depictions of the Euploia can be found at Marina’s, Lighthouses, and notably the depiction of the Euploia was adopted by the U.S Navy on July 14th, 1887 and is used in many ship, squadron, or unit emblems along with the traditional tridents, anchors and other sea imagery.

Interestingly, the Euploia imagery was a pivotal morale upheaval in WW2 when the American 4th class ship ‘The Euploia’ was used in routing German occupation from Grecian waters with British naval support and the Greek Resistance movement within the coastal cities.”

“The Areia Athenide or Warlike Athenide was most often worshipped in Sparta. Often depicted as a athletic woman in her late teens to early twenties. Often shown in bright reds and orange there is very little oceanic imagery included in depictions of this Athenide. She is shown with a lifted helm much like Athena with a spear, sword, or occasionally a Trident in her hand.

Interestingly, most depictions of this Athenide show her holding weaponry in her Left hand as opposed to her right as with other war deities imagery. Debates are ongoing regarding the implications of the hand placement of her weaponry.

The Athenide’s net (often seen with the depiction of the Euploia Athenide) can also be seen with this depiction. Often subtly placed on her hip or draped across her shoulders. Uniquely, this Athenide is shown exclusively with fox imagery. Not sharing the albatross, otter, or seal imagery with the other Athenides.

This is the Athenide representive of the Loyalty between Soldiers or the Protection of Soldiers to the People.

Often called a protector of women she often has bay laurels or scattered laurel leaves in her imagery. Invoking the mythos of Daphne, the nymph who shielded her from unwanted advances and was turned into a Laurel tree.

During the Roman Empire this Athenide depiction was known as the goddess ‘Fides’ and was considered the wife, companion, or bride of Mars. She was often the patron of the ‘homeguard’ who defended roman cities and citizens while the main roman army expanded territories throughout Europe.

During the reign of Emperor Caligula (Ruled 37-41 AD), he attempted to declare a national ‘wedding feast’ between himself and Fides to the ire and rebellion of many roman cities states. And the many riots and rebellions led to him declaring war on his ‘father-in-law’ Neptune for ‘refusing to give him his wife’ and waging war against the sea itself. This is considered one of the many examples of mental illness during Caligula’s rule. After which the Roman empire seemed to regard Fides as a source of rebellion within the general public and subsequent emperors tended to harshly condemn the worship of Fides and preferring to instill. ‘Loyalty to the State’ dogma in it’s place.

You may have noticed depictions of this Athenide in modern military bases, army offices, and women’s shelters.”