Minerva

Minerva, the name of a Roman goddess, identified by the later Grecising Romans with the Greek Athena (q.v.). Her name is thought to spring from the same root as mens ('mind'); and the ancient Latin scholar and critic, Varro, regarded her as the impersonation of divine thought—the plan of the material universe of which Jupiter was the creator and Juno the representative. Hence all that goes on among men, all that constitutes the development of human destiny—itself but the expression of the divine idea or intention—is under her care. She is the patroness of arts and trades, and was invoked alike by poets, painters, teachers, physicians, and all kinds of craftsmen. She also guides heroes in war; and, in fact, every wise idea, every bold act, and every useful design owes something to the high inspiration of this virgin goddess. Her oldest temple at Rome was that on the Capitol, but she had another on the Aventine. Her festival was held in March, and lasted five days, from the 19th to the 23d inclusive.