Athena, is the Greek Goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill. There was no doubt that she was the favorite child of Zeus. Only Athena possessed the keys to his thunderbolts and she alone was entitled to wear his aegis to carry his shield. In spite of this birthright of armor, Athena did not have a bellicose nature, nor did she bear arms, except when her country was attacked, or when she came to the aid of the heroes Herakles, Perseus and Odysseus. She had sprung fully grown out of her father's head. Her mother was Metis, Goddess of wisdom and Zeus first wife. In fear that Metis would bear a son mightier than himself, Zeus swallowed her and she began to make a robe and helmet for her daughter. The hammering of the helmet caused Zeus great pain in the form of headaches and he cried out in agony. The skilled blacksmith Hephaestus ran to his father and split his skull open and from it emerged Athena, fully grown and wearing her mother's robe and helmet. Athena and her uncle Poseidon were both very fond of a certain city in Greece. Both of them claimed the city and it was decided that the one that could give the finest gift should have it. Leading a procession of citizens, the two gods mounted the Acropolis. and Poseidon struck the side of the cliff with his trident and a spring welled up. The people marveled, but the water was as salty as Poseidon's sea and it was not very useful. Athena's gift was an olive tree, which was better because it gave the people food, oil and wood. Athena named her city Athens. She always had a helping hand ready and was known for her generosity and modesty. At times she holds her favorite bird, the owl in her outstretched hand, or on her shoulder. Athena is the Goddess of wisdom, of household arts and crafts and of spinning and weaving of textiles. She is the inventor of the flute, the plough and the ox-yoke, the horse bridle and the chariot. She has been the epitome of wisdom, maturity, and responsibility since her birth. The protector of Athens and a counselor of men, Athena was the favored Greek goddess who defied the laws of mortals and immortals alike. She is the defender of heroes, champion of justice and civil law. Athena is known to be closely associated with the owl, which is a sign of wisdom, Athena's trademark. The Panathenaea was Athen's most important festival and one of the grandest in the entire Greek world. Except for slaves, all inhabitants of the city and suburbs could take part in the festival. The Panathenaea was one of those occasions when women could get out of the house and take an active role in a public function. The holiday fell on the 28th day of the month called Hekatombaion, roughly equivalent to the last half of July and the first half of August and the first month of the Athenian year. This holiday was believed to be an observance of Athena's birthday and honored the Goddess as the city's patron divinity: Athena Polias. The Parthenon was built to give thanks to the Greek Goddess Athena, the city's patron Goddess, for the salvation of Athens and Greece in the Persian Wars. The Greek Athena equals the Roman Minerva.