What are some significant actions or crimes Athena made?

Answer 1

1. Medusa was once a beautiful woman even though she was a Gorgon while her two sisters were hideous. She was so beautiful she caught the attention of Poseidon who raped her in the temple of Athena and Hephaesteus. Athena discovered what happened and transformed Medusa into a monster like her sisters with snakes for her hair, a snake-like body, and sight that would turn any who met it into stone.

2. A later Roman addition of myth (not sure if this will count for you or not) involves a young woman named Arachne. She was the daughter of a famous dyer and a student of Athena's weaving. Eventually she began boasting that her skills were beyond the goddess' own. Athena transformed into an elderly woman and warned Arachne not to challenge the might of the gods. Arachne ignored the advice and stated she wished there to be a contest between herself and the goddess.

Athena wove a tapestry of her victory over Poseidon (in the naming of Athens) while Arachne wove a scene of the infidelities of the gods, namely Jupiter with several of the humans he seduced. Athena had to admit that Arachne's work was flawless but she was so outraged at the disrespectful topic that she destroyed the girl's loom and tapestry and (depending on the myth) either struck her with her staff turning her into a spider or her anger upset Arachne enough for the girl to hang herself, after which Athena took pity upon her and made her a spider.

3. Athena is sometimes referred to as Pallas Athena. Pallas was actually her companion and best friend in the early years of her life. However one day when they were sparring Athena accidentally killed Pallas but took her name up in rememberence.