Arachne
Athena, goddess of wisdom, also taught women the art of spinning and weaving. Naturally she
thought she wove the most beautiful cloth in all the world. And she was furious when she heard that
Arachne, a mortal, thought her own weaving was far superior.
Athena flew down to earth disguised as an old woman. She went to Arachne’s hut, where
wood nymphs were watching in wonder as Arachne wove an intricate pattern out of rainbow-colored
threads. “I warn you,” Athena said to Arachne. “Do not dare to compete with a goddess. Indeed, I
advise you to ask Athena’s pardon for what you said.”
But Arachne said to the old woman, “I am the finest weaver in the world. Everybody knows
that. If Athena does not believe it, let her come here and have a weaving contest with me. I am not
afraid of her.”
Then Athena revealed herself as a shining goddess and said, “I am Athena, and I accept your
challenge. Let us begin.”
Arachne paled, but she did not back down, so certain was she of her talents.
Athena and Arachne set up their looms and went to work, using every shade of every color
thread, and gold and silver threads, as well. They both wove so quickly and skillfully that their
shuttles seemed to fly, in and out, up and down, back and forth. The wood nymphs ran from one
weaver to the other, exclaiming over the beautiful work of each.
Athena wove into her cloth scenes showing the powerful gods displeased with mortals who had
challenged them. This is a further warning to that conceited Arachne! she said to herself. If she does
not give up, she will be sorry!
But Arachne was lost in her own weaving and did not even notice her rival’s work.
Furthermore, Arachne chose to weave scenes that showed the god’s weaknesses, such a Zeus turning
himself into a bull and carrying off Europa. When Athena saw these scenes she was outraged, not only
because they showed the gods in a poor light, but also because Arachne’s woven web was every bit as
fine as hers.
I’ll not be outdone by a mere mortal, thought Athena, and a bold, impious one at that! And
she took her shuttle and slashed Arachne’s web to shreds. Then Athena touched Arachne’s forehead,
causing Arachne to fell guilty and ashamed.
Arachne felt so guilty and ashamed that she made a noose out of one of her strongest threads.
Then she hanged herself with it.
When Athena saw poor Arachne hanging there, she pitied her a little. She sprinkled her with a
magic liquid and said, “You shall not die, Arachne. Instead you shall be changed into a spider,
hanging by a thread and weaving your web forever.
And Arachne shrank into a tiny spider. First her nose and ears fell off, and then her fingers
turned into legs. What was left of her became her body, out of which she spins and spins the thread for
her web.