![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Herculaneum_Collegio_degli_Augustali_Ercole_sull%2527Olimpo_%2528cropped%2529.jpg/640px-Herculaneum_Collegio_degli_Augustali_Ercole_sull%2527Olimpo_%2528cropped%2529.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Minerva
Roman goddess of wisdom / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Minerva (mythology)?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Minerva (/məˈnɜːrvə/; Latin: [mɪˈnɛru̯ä]; Etruscan: Menrva) is the Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. She is also a goddess of warfare, though with a focus on strategic warfare, rather than the violence of gods such as Mars.[2] Beginning in the second century BC, the Romans equated her with the Greek goddess Athena.[3] 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[1] |
Egyptian equivalent | Neith |
Celtic equivalent | Brigantia |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Minerva-Vedder-Highsmith-detail-1.jpeg/320px-Minerva-Vedder-Highsmith-detail-1.jpeg)
Minerva is a virgin goddess. Her domain includes music, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, and the crafts.[4] Minerva is often depicted with her sacred creature, an owl usually named the "owl of Minerva".[5] 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. She is often wearing armour and carrying a spear. As an important Roman goddess, she is highly revered, honored, and respected.[6] Marcus Terentius Varro considered her to be ideal and the plan for the universe personified.[7]