Editing Minerva (section)

== Presence in mythology ==
Minerva is a prominent figure in [[Roman mythology]]. She appears in many famous myths. Many of the stories of her Greek counterpart [[Athena]] are attributed to Minerva in Roman mythology, such as that of the naming of Athens<ref name="Hyginus-2007">{{Cite book|last1=Apollodorus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wx2wngEACAAJ|title=Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology|last2=Hyginus|date=2007|publisher=Hackett Pub.|isbn=978-0-87220-820-9|language=en}}</ref> resulting from a competition between Minerva and [[Neptune (mythology)|Neptune]],<ref name="Ovid-2018">{{Cite book|last=Ovid |title=Metamorphoses |year=2018 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-03359-8 |oclc=1007036859}}</ref> in which Minerva created the olive tree.<ref name="Bulfinch-2010"/>

=== Minerva and Arachne ===
[[Arachne]] was a mortal highly proficient in weaving and embroidery. Not only were her finished works beautiful, but also her process, so much so that [[nymphs]] would come out of their natural environments to watch her work. Arachne boasted that her skills could beat those of Minerva, and if she were wrong she would pay the price for it. This angered Minerva, and she took the form of an old woman to approach Arachne, offering her a chance to take back her challenge and ask forgiveness.<ref name="Ovid-2018" /> When Arachne refused, Minerva rid herself of her disguise and took Arachne up on her challenge. Arachne began to weave a tapestry that showed the shortcomings of the gods, while Minerva depicted her competition with Neptune and the gods looking down with disgust on mortals who would dare to challenge them.<ref name="Ovid-2018" /> Minerva's weaving was meant as a final warning to her foe to back down. Minerva was insulted by the scenes that Arachne was weaving, and destroyed it. She then touched Arachne on the forehead, which made her feel shame for what she had done, leading her to hang herself. Minerva then felt bad for the woman, and brought her back to life. However, Minerva transformed her into a spider as punishment for her actions, and hanging from a web would forever be a reminder to Arachne of her actions that offended the gods. This story also acted as a warning to mortals not to challenge the gods.<ref name="Bulfinch-2010" />

=== Minerva and Medusa ===
[[Medusa]] was once a beautiful human girl with magnificent hair, she was also a priestess of Minerva. Neptune was obsessed with her and lusted after her. One day Neptune was watching her pray in the Temple of Minerva and decided to act upon his lustful obsession. He forced himself on Medusa but she was not strong enough to fight him off. Minerva was furious this took place in her temple and she turned Medusa into a monster, replacing her hair with hissing snakes and removing her charm. Medusa turned any living creature she looked upon into stone. Neptune was not ever confronted for his wrongdoings to Medusa. When [[Perseus]] approached Medusa he used her reflection in his shield to avoid contact with her eyes, and then beheaded her. Medusa’s spilt blood gave birth to Pegasus; which Minerva immediately tamed and gifted to [[Bellerophon]].<ref name="Hyginus-2007" /> He delivered the severed head to Minerva, who placed its image on her [[Aegis]].<ref name="Bulfinch-2010" />

=== Taming of Pegasus ===
When [[Perseus]] beheaded [[Medusa]] some of the blood spilled onto the ground, and from it came [[Pegasus]]. Minerva caught the horse and tamed it before gifting the horse to the [[Muses]]. It was a kick from the hoof of Pegasus that opened the fountain [[Hippocrene]].<ref name="Ovid-2018" /> When [[Bellerophon]] later went to fight the [[Chimera (mythology)|Chimera]] he sought to use Pegasus in the fight. In order to do this he slept in Minerva's temple, and she came to him with a golden bridle. When Pegasus saw Bellerophon with the bridle the horse immediately allowed Bellerophon to mount, and they defeated the Chimera.<ref name="Bulfinch-2010" />
[[File:Johann_König_-_Minerva_Visiting_the_Muses_on_Mount_Helicon.jpg|thumb|Painting of Minerva visiting the Muses]]

=== Turning Aglauros to stone ===
[[Metamorphoses]] by [[Ovid]] tell the story of Minerva and [[Aglaurus, daughter of Cecrops|Aglauros]]. When [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]] comes to seduce mortal virgin [[Herse of Athens|Herse]], her sister Aglauros is driven by her greed to help him. Minerva discovers this and is furious with Aglauros. She seeks the assistance of [[Invidia|Envy]], who fills Aglauros with so much envy for the good fortune of others that she [[Petrifaction in mythology and fiction|turns to stone]]. Mercury fails to seduce Herse.<ref name="Ovid-2018" />

=== Minerva and Hercules ===
Minerva assisted the hero [[Hercules]]. In [[Gaius Julius Hyginus|Hyginus]]' ''[[Fabulae]]'' she is said to have helped him kill the [[Lernaean Hydra|Hydra]] (30.3).<ref name="Hyginus-2007" />

=== Minerva and Ulysses ===
Minerva assisted the hero [[Odysseus|Ulysses]]. Hyginus describes in his work ''[[Fabulae]]'' that Minerva changes Odysseus' appearance in order to protect and assist him multiple times (126).<ref name="Hyginus-2007" />

=== Inventing the flute ===
Minerva is thought to have invented the [[flute]] by piercing holes into boxwood. She enjoyed the music, but became embarrassed by how it made her face look when her cheeks puffed out to play. Because of this she threw it away and it landed on a riverbank where it was found by a [[satyr]].<ref name="Theoi Classical Texts Library-2">{{cite web|url=https://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidFasti6.html|title=OVID, FASTI BOOK 6 |website=Theoi Classical Texts Library|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>