adfly to torment Io, Hera was substituting an immediate solution for her ire towards Zeus. The transformation of Io to a heifer is a common theme in mythology, representing the mercy of the gods. Mortals were often changed to another form to protect them from themselves and others. Greek mythology is largely based on the gods intervention in mortal life. As in the case with Io, the wrath and the mercy of the gods can be seen in the same myths. Myths often served the purpose to warn humans not to offend the gods. The myth of Arachne also incorporates conflicting ideas of the gods with a transformation between mortal and animal. Arachne was a young Lydian women who was known to be gifted in the art of weaving. Not only were her weavings beautiful, but she watching her weave was also stunning. Her work was so remarkable that observers often commented that she must have been trained by the patron goddess of weaving, Athena, herself. Athena, resenting the implication that she was inferior to Athena, said she could out weave Athena. Athena was offended at this comment, but decided to give Arachne a chance to redeem herself. She disguised herself as a old women and gave Arachne a warning not to insult the gods. Yet Arachne only scoffed at this. She said she challenged Athena to a weaving contest and was willing to suffer any consequences if she were to lose. The goddess accepted the challenge and changed to reveal her true form. The contest began, the mortal against the goddess. Athena wove a scene depicting her contest with Poseidon for the city of Athens. The scene showed Poseidon and the salt water spring and Athena with a olive tree, gifts to the people of Athens who would later name their city after her. All the bystanders agreed Athena’s work was marvelous. Arachne wove a tapestry showing various scenes of Zeus’ infidelities: Leda with the Sawn, Europa with the bull, Danae and the golden rain shower. The...
