te, a symbol of hope, and the war chariot. She was also the idea behind the Trojan Horse in the Odyssey. The horse is an example of Athena's cleverness that saved Athens in the war. During the war, Athena had the Greeks build the horse that she would send to the Trojans under her name so that they would accept a gift from the patron goddess. The Trojans were led to believe that if they let the horse enter their gates then they would be victorious. As the myth reveals, the horse harbored the Greek army that siege the city once the horse was inside. Athena's ideas also encouraged Argos to build the biggest longship of the time, the Argo. She taught Prometheus of architecture, astronomy, mathematics, navigation, medicine, and metallurgy which he in turn gave to mortals. Athena's worship as the patron goddess seemed to evolve over generations of myth. She eventually won her right in a contest of the gods to take her place as patron of all of Attica. There was a dispute between Poseidon and Athena as to the status of the presiding power of Athens. The contest between Athena and Poseidoninvolved the offering of the most beneficial attribute to the Athenians that would determine the ruler. The contest took place on Mount Olympus and was judged by the twelve Olympic deities. Poseidon was the god of the sea kingdom and is often shown with his trident and crown. He created a flowing salt spring on the Acropolis and Athena produced an olive tree. The olive tree was declared the most efficient gift and Athena was granted rule over Attica. Her reign as patron was most prosperous for Athens because she encouraged agriculture and industry along with her inventions of the plow, the rake, the chariot, and navigation. She kept order by fortifying the city and protecting it from enemies. After she secured the Acropolis she became the protector of Athens and temples were dedicated to her there as well as Argos, Megara, Sparta, and others. Her temples were...
