Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is an oration in praise of the goddess Athena, celebrating her divine nature and the countless blessings she has bestowed upon both gods and humanity. It begins with the myth of Athena's birth from the head of Zeus in full armor, illustrating her unique bond with her father and her supreme authority over heaven and earth. The narrative then praises her heroic deeds in the Gigantomachy, as well as her role in founding cities and introducing vital arts such as clothing, olive cultivation, infantry, cavalry, and seafaring. Furthermore, the orator details her diverse benefits, including trade, agriculture, and the salvation of Orestes, while demonstrating her superiority and cooperative relationships with other deities like Apollo and Poseidon. Finally, the work recounts her support for heroes like Perseus and Heracles, emphasizing her spiritual power to pacify internal conflicts within the human soul and bring true victory, before concluding with a prayer for the protection of the orator's speech.