Brief about Athena Athena, called Athene by her closest friends, is the Greek virgin goddess of wisdom, civilization, mathematics, strategy, defensive warfare, crafts, the arts, and skill. She is often portrayed as a companion of heroes and is the patron of heroic endeavour. The Greek state she is the patron goddess of, Athens, is named after her and currently is the capital of Greece. Her Roman counterpart is Minerva, and the English word athlete was derived from her name.