Minerva
Minerva (/məˈnɜːrvə/; Latin: [mɪˈnɛru̯ä]; Etruscan: Menrva) is the Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. Minerva is not a patron of violence such as Mars, but of strategic war. From the second century BC onward, the Romans equated her with the Greek goddess Athena. Minerva is one of the three Roman deities in the Capitoline Triad, along with Jupiter and Juno.
| Minerva | |
|---|---|
Goddess of poetry, medicine, commerce, weaving, the crafts, and wisdom | |
| Member of the Capitoline Triad and the Dii Consentes | |
Fresco of Minerva from Herculaneum (1st century AD) | |
| Symbols | Owl of Minerva, olive tree, serpent of Jupiter, the Parthenon, the spear, the spindle, and Hellebore |
| Gender | Female |
| Parents | JupiterMetis |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek equivalent | Athena |
| Etruscan equivalent | Menrva |
| Canaanite equivalent | Anat |
| Egyptian equivalent | Neith |
| Celtic equivalent | Brigantia |
| Religion in ancient Rome |
|---|
| Practices and beliefs |
| Priesthoods |
| Deities |
|
Deified leaders: |
| Related topics |
She was the virgin goddess of music, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, and the crafts. She is often depicted with her sacred creature, an owl usually named the "owl of Minerva", which symbolised her association with wisdom and knowledge as well as, less frequently, the snake and the olive tree. Minerva is commonly depicted as tall with an athletic and muscular build, as well as wearing armour and carrying a spear. As the most important Roman goddess, she is highly revered, honored, and respected. Marcus Terentius Varro considered her to be ideal and the plan for the universe personified.