98 MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS RITES. 
The customary habit of Athene is the Spartan tunic, without sleeves or 
seams on the sides, and over this is thrown a wide and numerously folded 
cloak. The helmet, egis, and shield constitute her inseparable attributes. 
The helmet is sometimes of the Corinthian fashion, with a movable visor, 
sometimes like the close-fitting Attic helmet furnished with a narrow 
frontlet and side clasps, and always more or less richly adorned with griffins, 
rams’ horns, and sometimes a row of horses, the front ones so arranged 
as to resemble a span harnessed to a war chariot. Sphinxes, also, hippo- 
griffs, and serpents often serve to ornament it. The gis was a sort of 
cuirass or breastplate, made of the rough skin of a monster which Athene 
had killed. Its seams were united by serpents instead of cords. The term 
Azgis literally signifies a goat-skin, and Lactantius says it was made of the 
skin of the goat which suckled Zeus. When fitted to the person it covered 
the breast as far as the waist, and passing over the shoulders, extended as 
low behind as the front part. In some pictures it is represented as oblique, 
passing from the right shoulder over the breast, and after going under the 
left arm, crossing the back to the right shoulder. A mask of Medusa, 
sculptured in the middle, gives it a terrific aspect. The shield is Spartan, 
of a circular form, and bears on its face the usual ornaments. It did not 
accompany the goddess when she was represented in her peaceful character. 
Besides the helmet and shield, Athene occasionally appears with the snake, 
the olive branch, the night owl, the cock, and the spear. 
After this general explanation, the various pictures of this goddess will 
be readily understood. As goddess of war, we see her (pl. 27, jig. 7) in her 
peculiar panoply, the helmet, egis, shield, and lance; as hastening to 
battle, with the lance on her shoulder and the shield hung upon the lance 
(jig. 10); as Weke, or Victoria, the goddess of victory after a well fought 
battle and the subjugation of the foe (jig. 14). Unlike Aves (Mars), 
Athene has no fondness for war for its own sake; hence we see her ( pl. 
19, jig. 3) as Victoria in peace, her right hand hanging down inactive, and 
the left holding the upright spear. . 
In pl. 27, jig. 9, we have the Agorwan Athene wearing the Dorie chzton, 
a narrow woollen garment without sleeves, suspended by bands and clasps 
trom the shoulders, closed at the waist but open below, the whole enveloped 
in a sort of gown. A very small egis hangs over the breast, the shield and 
lance are wanting, the right hand rests on the hip, the head inclines 
with a singular expression, and the left arm is performing an oratorical 
gesture. 
Among her busts are some representing her in rich attire (jig. 8); others 
in simpler costume (pl. 28, jig. 6). The serpent stands either as the 
symbol of medical science, or as indicating the necessity of vigilance over 
young women. 
Athene often appears upon coins. Thus on a brass coin of Athens (pl. 
27, fig. 12 a6) the obverse exhibits her profile with a neat, simple helmet; 
the reverse shows the acropolis of Athens, the temple and statue of Athene 
standing on the brow of the hill, a flight of steps leading up the sides, and 
in the rocks the entrance to the cave of Pan. ‘The inscription shows 
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