The Story of Athena and Zeus� Aegis

A Story by Justin Guidroz

Well, I guess this is a 'fan fiction' of mythology. Based on actually Greek mythology, it is the story of Zeus' Aegis, which was fixed with Medusa's head, and how the bearer comes to be,

The Story of Athena and Zeus’ Aegis

Justin Guidroz

“Father.”

Athena walked into Mount Olympus’ grand dining hall where all of the gods and goddesses, excluding Hades, had conjugated to eat. The rich smell of ambrosia and nectar filled the hall. All of their heads toward her. “I have come bearing a gift for Father.”

Zeus looked up, slightly annoyed that his feast was interrupted, brushing some stray crumbs out of his long flowing white beard with a swift stroke of his colossal hand. He stood up, his breastplate reflecting light in many different directions. “What is it that you have?” he asked in his deep, booming voice.

“I have your aegis, which, with the help of Perseus, now bears the head of Medusa, one of the three Gorgon sisters, whose gaze will turn mortals into stone,” she said in her soft, feminine voice. Her sleek small hand uncovered the shield with surprising grace. Gasps came from the table at this unveiling. Medusa’s Head was crudely attached to the middle of the aegis, her final moment preserved on her face, full of unsettled anger and dying despair.

Zeus stood and approached Athena, each step shaking the room. He overshadowed her as he looked down and asked, “I cannot accept this gift, for it is of no use to me.”

Athena stepped back, “Then who is to bear it?”

“You should bear it, being the wisest of all your brothers and sisters,” he answered.

But Athena resisted, “I also have no use for it.”

This arose interest among the siblings.

Hera stood, and being the jealous goddess that she is, quickly said “I want this shield.” Zeus turned and yelled sharply, “You have the least use for this aegis. I refuse to let you have it.” Hera huffed loudly, and overdramatically plopped back down onto her throne.

Then Ares stood, his battle armor clanking as he moved, “Athena, you understand my position as the god of war, and know that the shield will be best used by me.”

Soon after Ares said this, Hermes stood up and took flight with the help of his winged sandals, and hovered over Athena. “I can use this for when I bring messages for Zeus, to protect myself from the many straggling thieves and criminals who interrupt my path. I can also use it for when I bring dead souls to the ferryman on Styx.”

Apollo stood up, his voice of an urbane swinging tone, rising over all the others, “I can use that shield next to my bow.” Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister, retorted curtly, “Brother, I would be surprised if you can even hold the shield up without succumbing to fatigue.” Apollo, down-trotted, sat down quietly in a dour manner.

Poseidon stood up next, brushing Hermes out of his way, and said, “Brother, you know I face many wretched creatures in the sea. Let me have the aegis to defend the waters aside my triton.” He banged his triton against his armor, making an earth-shaking effect in the hall.

Zeus had stayed quiet during his siblings’ pleas, thinking thoroughly. The other members of the family; Hestia, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus, also remained impervious and silent during this. The other siblings continued to bicker and argue with each other, explaining why they were worthier than the others, whilst insulting each others’ character and personal hygiene. The low roar became a loud din as the conversations and insults grew in severity and intensity. Finally, Hephaestus stood up and screamed over the other voices, “Let Zeus decide what to do with his aegis!” The family immediately quieted down and looked at him, slightly surprised that the normally quiet god stood up to them. “I made the aegis for him, and it is still his to give as he desires.”

Hephaestus sat down as Zeus rose his head and nodded slightly in agreement, “Yes, silence.” He stood up, and walked over to Athena, who was still standing quietly in the middle of the hall with the aegis in her hands. He gently relieved her of the aegis, and examined it quickly, weighing it in his hand. His mouth opened, and the entire hall tensed up as he let out a deep sigh. “I have decided,” he said in an official tone, “to give the aegis to Athena. For, as I said originally, she is the wisest of all the gods and goddesses.” He turned to Hephaestus, “Mend Medusa’s head firmly into the shield.” Zeus handed him the aegis and Hephaestus took it, nodded, and scurried away to his workshop.

Zeus then turned to Athena, “Take my aegis and guard it with your life.” Athena vowed to him, and that is how she became the bearer of Zeus’ aegis.

© 2009 Justin Guidroz

Author's Note

Go crazy, *laugh*.

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CLUTZ

lol,,,,, i like it.......... my favorite god had been Zeus, then changed to Ares (I'm an aries and that's where my sign comes frm...) and my favorite goddess is eris- the goddess of chaos---> for other reasons I wnt get in2, but this is a good story, and it mkes me lke Athena a lot..... very nice.

Posted 17 Years Ago

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Added on January 5, 2009

Author

Justin Guidroz

St. Bernard, LA

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Hi, my name is Justin Guidroz. I've sort of disappeared lately, haven't submitted much to the site. Life is just in an up most turmoil right now, and I'm fixing that which needs to be fixed. I have be.. more..