Greek · No. 120

Rite of Athena's Birth

Inspired by: The birth of Athena from the head of Zeus, as told by Hesiod, the Homeric Hymn to Athena and Pindar.

Rite of Athena's Birth
One axe-blow to the king's head, and wisdom emerges armed.
Rarity
Uncommon
Category
Ritual
Effect
Sacrifice 3 monsters with the right materials to summon a ritual monster.

The myth

The rite is a MYTHENOR creation, but the birth of Athena is an ancient myth. Zeus swallowed the goddess Metis, Cunning, while she was pregnant, so that no child could surpass him. Later he felt a terrible pain in his head; according to Pindar, Hephaestus split it open with a bronze axe, and in other versions it was Prometheus. Athena leapt out fully grown and armed, raising a war cry that made sky and earth tremble, as the Homeric Hymn to Athena tells. The east pediment of the Parthenon showed this scene.

Why it has this power

An Uncommon ritual: with the Owl of Athena, the Young Spartan Hoplite and the Pythia of Delphi on your field, all three are offered and Pallas Athena in Full Arms arises with 2850 attack and 2950 defense. Wisdom, discipline and prophecy unite, and the goddess steps armed out of the light.

Did you know

Pindar tells that the Rhodians, rushing to honor the newborn goddess, forgot to bring fire and made their sacrifices without flame.

Connections

  • In Aristeia, Champion of Olympus's deck

Where to get it

  • Daily Offering: 0.45% per pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
  • Welcome Pack: 1.1% per pack (Uncommon 30% per card)
  • Traveler's Pack: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
  • Bronze Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
  • Silver Reliquary: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
  • Golden Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 35% per card)
  • Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.98% of days · 400 gold
  • Craft with card dust: 100 dust

Sources

  1. Theogony — Hesiod (trans. H. G. Evelyn-White), Theoi Classical Texts Library
  2. Homeric Hymns 5-33 — Anonymous (trans. H. G. Evelyn-White), Theoi Classical Texts Library
  3. ATHENA MYTHS 1 GENERAL - Greek Mythology — Aaron J. Atsma, Theoi Project