ARACHNE From Greek Mythology
In the kingdom of Lydia (an ancient area of Anatolia, which is in modern-day Turkey) there lived a girl, named Arachne. She was a very good weaving, and her reputation for embroidery soon spread. Athena, the goddess of (among many other things) spinners and embroiderers, was considered by many to have been Arachne's tutor, but Arachne refused to give the goddess any credit for having taught her how tow weave so beautifully.
Indeed, so sure of her own weaving abilities that Arachne even boldly challenged Athena to a weaving contest. Athena turned up in disguise as an old woman, advising the young weaver to be more modest about her achievements. Arachne was scornful, so Athena - angered by the girl's arrogance-revealed her true identity and accepted the challenge Arachne had proposed.
The two competitors chose the subject of their tapestries with care while Athena showed the twelve Olympian gods in hers, she wove in a little detail in each of the corners, showing what happens to uppity mortals who think they can defy the gods. Conversely, Arachne depicted the most outrageous things the gods had got up to - in particular, Zeus' track record in seducing or abducting young maidens to satisfy his own lust.
Arachne's work was perfect, and Athena had to admit it. But, being a goddess she didn't have to like it. What's the use of being a deity if you can't throw your weight about from time to time. So, Athena tore up Arachne's beautiful work and struck her down. Arachne was so downcast by this, that she hanged herself.
Athena was vindictive and refused to give Arachne peace in death. So, she turned the dead girl into a spider, so that she would be doomed to weave and spin for all the time.
Answer (1)
Answer:Arachne – Greek Mythology SummaryArachne was a skilled weaver from Lydia, whose talent in embroidery made her famous. She became arrogant and denied that Athena, goddess of weaving, had taught her. Arachne even challenged Athena to a weaving contest. Disguised as an old woman, Athena warned her to be humble, but Arachne mocked her.In the contest, Athena wove the gods and their power, while Arachne boldly showed the gods’ flaws and misdeeds. Arachne’s work was flawless, but Athena, angered by her arrogance, destroyed it and struck her down. Overcome with shame, Arachne hanged herself.Instead of letting her rest, Athena punished her further by transforming her into a spider, condemning her to weave and spin forever.Moral: Excessive pride and disrespect for the gods (hubris) lead to downfall.
