Vihaan Rawal: Athena, Goddess of War and Wisdom

International Community School

Council of Olympus (COO)
Topic A: The Sovereignty of Attica
Attica is a historical region in east-central Greece, with Athens being its capital, and in
the past, Attica has been a hub for marine commerce and has a number of distinct communities,
centered around Eleusis, Athens, and Marathon (Brittanica). Like many other Greek city states,
Attica originated from the union of a number of villages. To pool resources and gain more
security, the villages decided to band together, establishing a new government. A city-state's
patron deity plays a significant role in the political and social affairs of the city-state's people. It
was thought that each city-state would take on the traits and principles of its patron deity; hence,
the chosen deity functioned as society’s divine incarnation. After Attica united, they were faced
with an important decision; that of the patron deity. The two main objectives of the debate over
the sovereignty of Attica are to establish and uphold the political authority and independence of
the city-state of Attica and its people.
King Cecrops, the first king of Athens, established a competition during which each god
was to offer a gift to the city to determine who was the patron deity. Whosever's gift was the
most valuable and beneficial would be the winner, and from the gods Poseidon and Athena
participated. Would Poseidon's naval strength be preferred by Athens, which promised economic
growth, or would they accept Athena's guidance as they pursued their own development(COO
Background Guide)? Poseidon constructed a saltwater spring to show off his dominance of the
waters and to provide Athens with his naval might and protection. Food, timber, oil, and other
things were generated by the olive tree that Athena planted, and with the olive tree, Athena
demonstrated her wisdom and provided the city with a resource that would last for many
centuries. And, the saltwater spring was less practical for the city’s immediate needs, as the
saltwater in it was not drinkable or useful for agriculture (“Athena vs. Poseidon: The Story
Behind Athens’ Patronage”). Cecrops determined that Athena should be the patron goddess of
Athens since he believed her gift to be better for the city-state’s future.

Both Athena and Poseidon see the city as a valuable asset, as a place where their
influence could shape the development of civilization, and they disagree on who the patron deity
should be. This disagreement has led to enmity between the gods and leaves Athens' future in a
bad place, as groups of gods have begun to support Athena’s or Poseidon’s bid for patron deity.
Olympus is holding its breath in anticipation of a decision that will be remembered for ages, as
the controversy has reached its breaking point.

Athena believes that it is in the best interest of Attica for it to adopt Athena as the patron
deity of Attica. Both the gods and the mortal residents of Athens will be affected by the ultimate
decision of the patron deity. Poseidon is the lord of the seas, but Attica was unable to benefit
from his gifts since they are unusable. Since the olive tree would supply Attica's population with
food, timber, and oil, Athena's gift was beneficial and economically advantageous for the city-
state's development. Using Athena's knowledge, the future of Attica will be safe, as Athena will
resolve disputes and difficulties with surrounding city-states. Additionally, by allying with
Athena, Attica can secure its control in the region, as it will benefit greatly from her tactical
advice during war. Furthermore, Attica will gain stability and an opportunity for development,
through Athena's aid. To summarize, Athena's presence in Attica will provide long-term
prosperity for the city-state, and Attica will benefit from her role as patron deity.

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Vihaan Rawal: Athena, Goddess of War and Wisdom
International Community School
Council of Olympus (COO)
Topic B: The Trojan War
The Trojan War was a mythical conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans, dated to the
12th or 13th century BCE. Eris, a goddess in Greek mythology, started the Trojan War by
throwing a golden apple inscribed "For the most beautiful" among the guests at the marriage of
Peleus and Thetis. This apple ignited a rivalry between Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena, leading to a
sequence of events that ultimately caused the Trojan War. Zeus picked Paris, the son of King
Priam of Troy and his wife, Hecuba, to determine which of three goddesses is the most beautiful
(“Paris | Story & Facts | Britannica”). Paris preferred Aphrodite’s promise and thus gave her the
apple. Because Paris picked Aphrodite, she helped Paris seduce and steal Helen away from her
husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. After Helen was abducted, Helen’s husband, Menelaus,
called together all the heroes of Greece’s cities: men such as his brother Agamemnon, king of
Mycenae; Achilles, all but invulnerable to wounds; and Ajax, invincible in war. Menelaus’s
coalition was known as the Achaeans or Greeks.

The trajectory and outcome of the legendary Trojan War were unquestionably influenced
by the gods' whims, which infiltrated each component of the war, and it is essential for the
Council of Olympus to discuss this issue. Throughout the majority of Ancient Greek history,
particularly during the Peloponnesian Wars and Trojan Wars, the concept of tîmê served as the
foundation for numerous relationships within Greek society, whether they were between
individuals or entire city-states, and the Greeks employed it as an index of class and distinction
and tîmê was also used in terms of relationships with gods. The Gods themselves were actually
ordinary life since they were all manifestations of fundamental elements of Greek civilization,
such as Athena's symbolization of wisdom, courage, bravery, and resourcefulness.

According to legend, the world itself came into being from the primordial void of Chaos,
the first and oldest primordial deity in reality (COO Background Guide). The pantheon of
Olympian gods has expanded throughout time as a result of the mixing of the Olympians,
Primordials, and Titans who had formed alliances with Olympus. These interactions shaped the
many interpersonal ties, resentments, and romantic connections that defined Olympus' intricate
social structure, and the current situation in Olympus is dire, as the various Gods of Mount
Olympus are devising schemes to favor the different sides of the war(COO Background Guide).

Athena supports the Greek coalition in the Trojan War in which she will sponsor and
protect heroes like Odysseus and Ajax leading up to the war. Athena's main role in the Trojan
War will be to support the Achaeans and manipulate the war in their favor. She believes that the
Trojan coalition is not following the concept of tîmê, as Paris’s actions of abducting a married
Queen and looting from his host are illegal and deeply impious. She wants to see Troy fall , and
she will do her best to manipulate and interfere in their affairs to ensure victory. Seeing as
Athena is the goddess of war and wisdom, she will aid the Greeks in every possible way, as
Athena in the Trojan War will function as a mentor to Achilles, as she will battle on the side of
the Achaeans. Athena's actions in the war will be tactical and disciplined, unlike Ares, her
brother, who revels in bloodshed. She will aid the Achaeans immensely, and both sides of the
war know that with Athena, they will not lose. Athena’s calm, cool-headed counsel will provide
the Greeks with a serious edge in several battles. Ultimately, Athena will aid the Greeks in any
way possible, and make sure that they win the Trojan War.

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Vihaan Rawal: Athena, Goddess of War and Wisdom
International Community School
Council of Olympus (COO)
Topic B: The Trojan War

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