Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Her Roman counterpart is Minerva. She is the virgin patroness of the city of Athens. She competed with Poseidon and won by creating the olive tree. The Athenians accepted her gift and named the city after her. They built a statue of Athena as a temple to the goddess, which had piercing eyes, a helmet on her head, attired with an aegis, an extremely long spear, and a crystal shield with the head of the Gorgon on it. A large snake accompanied her and she held Nike, the goddess of victory, in her hand. Athena never had a consort or lover and is thus known as Athena Parthenos “Virgin Athena.” The owl, a bird which sees well in the night is closely associated with her as she is the goddess of wisdom. She was also the goddess of philosophy and a patron and helper of heroes that defended their homeland.