docoflove1974 Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Partly for personal reasons and partly for research, I'm looking at a compare/contrast of Minerva and Athena. In trolling on Amazon for a starting point (I hate it when my library's database is shut down, albeit temporarily), I found this book: Wisdom Goddesses by Hephaestus Books Has anyone heard of this book? There is evidently a similar book on the Virgin Goddesses, also across the ancient religions. Also, are there any recommendations that you have? It doesn't have to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melvadius Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 I hadn't up to now but from my point of view the author's description is a little concerning citing only 'open source' material from the web. It gives the strong impression that there is little or no academic basis/ oversight to the work so there is no way of telling how historically accurate or otherwise any of it might be. I have had a different author recommended for 'academic' discussion of ancient beliefs and how they all are interrelated or otherwise which is Marija Gimbutas 'The Living Goddesses'. The input on Minerva/ Athena is not massive and the subject area is still on the woolly side of things for my tastes but at least she argues her points of view on the basis of historic and archaeological evidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 In the title of that book it lists Minerva as a triple goddess? She was never a triple goddess. Sounds like New Age garbage. Don't waste your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docoflove1974 Posted December 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 No, I think that the 'triple goddesses' is in reference to someone else...not exactly sure what, though. I finally got access to JSTOR late last night, but couldn't find any decent articles on this subject, which doesn't surprise me. I would imagine that what I'm looking for is like an overview of Roman and Greek mythology. I have something around here, but nothing that talked about Minerva much. I know that, etymologically, there is a Menrva goddess for the Etruscans, and I *think* that's the basis for the Roman goddess Minerva...although I'm not entirely sure of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Paulinus Maximus Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Not sure how useful this is to you Doc, but it might be worth a look...... http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/bulf/bulf13.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 I know that, etymologically, there is a Menrva goddess for the Etruscans, and I *think* that's the basis for the Roman goddess Minerva...although I'm not entirely sure of that. According to Oxford Classical Dictionary that's a widely accepted theory. I'm not a scholar, doc, but here are my own observations 1) Athena is very much the martial goddess, connected with (defensive) war and such. In Rome, this aspect was de-emphasized. They had Mars and Bellona as war deities. 2) Athena is the goddess of artisans and craftsmen. In Rome, this is taken to the next level where Minerva becomes the goddess of many guilds of organized labor, thus having a hand in trade. 3) One of Minerva's aspects is Minerva Medica - Minerva patron of healers and doctors. This really wasn't part of her cult in Athens as far as I know. Here is website that may further help you: http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Athena.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docoflove1974 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 GPM, that looks good, and I'll read it more in depth later...thanks! Ursus, you've hit part of the issue for me...which Minerva? I know that there were a few, and that Athena's warlike nature wasn't generally associated with Minerva. The website you provided also looks like a good source. Thanks, gentlemen! Something to read this weekend, before finals week hits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maty Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Minerva was not a triple goddess, but she was one of the Capitoline triad. As ever, Smith is a great source here. Wish someone this century was able to update his epic work. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/ACL3129.0002.001/1100?rgn=full+text;view=image;q1=minerva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryaxis Hecatee Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 It would take a comitee Maty, and seeing the review of the OCD4 just published on BMCR I'm not sure I'd like to see such an attempt for fear of the content being damaged... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docoflove1974 Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Thanks so much, Maty! I agree with Bryaxis, it would take a full team to update such a great and thorough reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klingan Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 It would take a comitee Maty, and seeing the review of the OCD4 just published on BMCR I'm not sure I'd like to see such an attempt for fear of the content being damaged... I've been thinking about buying ODC4 (got the 3rd ed.). How was the review? Or do you have a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryaxis Hecatee Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2012/2012-08-34.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefrank Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 They were Roman goddess in the 2nd century BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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