Minerva (Minerva), originally sounded like “Thought”. She was the daughter of Jupiter and Juno. Goddess of wisdom, arts and crafts, corresponding to the Greek Athena. She was called “the goddess of a thousand jobs”.
It is probably a deity of Etruscan origin (Menfra). Together with Jupiter and Juno, she formed the Capitoline Trinity.
Her feast day, Quinquatrus, was celebrated from 19 to 23 March by craftsmen, artists and doctors. The temple in honour of Minerva was on Avetina and Celius Hill. Another festival was held in her honor on March 19, June 19 and September 19.
She was worshipped throughout Italy. In Rome, she also acquired the aspect of the goddess of war. The Romans offered her their war trophy. She was usually depicted wearing an armour and a helmet, armed with a spear.
- Kempiński Andrzej, Encyklopedia mitologii ludów indoeuropejskich, Warszawa 2001
- Schmidt Joël, Słownik mitologii greckiej i rzymskiej, Katowice 1996
