Goddess Athena
Athena is one of the 12 goddesses in Greek Mythology
and the goddess of knowledge and sophistication; war and science. We see the
relief of Somek Goddess Athena carved in a rock, in Somek village, to which
people arrive after passing Canbazli. Her right hand is in the raised posture
and it holds the spear. A snake is entwined the spear. Her left hand is poised and is leaning the
shield. The Athena relief in the north of Eleksi Bogazi (by walking
approximately 3 km.) near Asagi Somek village which is nearly 40 km. distant to
Silifke district – shows the existence of Athena Cult in the ancient
settlement. In the emboss which has 1,30 m. of height, there is an insciption
saying: “Athena living in the mountains”. Athena is described with a spear in
her hand, to which a snake is entwined and the upper part of the relief is
placed in niche, in the shape of an
oyster shell. (IV. century) We get the the best information from the
inscription next to it: “The work of Marcus who is the grandchild of
Hermophilos, and the son of Menas.
According to holy command, Rhobozon dedicated his son
Dionys to Athena Krisoa Oeria (to Athena living in the mountains).” With the
phrase “living in the mountains”, we witness that Athena is worshipped as a
goddess that Athena saves the mountains and people who live there. With this
trait, the goddess Athena becomes specialized and becomes a special goddess
that Cilicia created. She shows resemblence with her shield, spear, snake, the
column next to her and the helmet – to the virgin maiden goddesses. A beautiful
detail is a horse which quickly comes after her, on the left side – makes her
unique. This can be interpreted as the “Anatolian Renaissance.” On the one side of the relief is some symbolic
cosmic motifs such as the crescent, star and thunder. This relief is, in one
sense, a reflection of East-West synthesis.
I am among 12 goddess.
I am the goddess of intelligence and sophistication;
the war and science.
My image is seen in the goddess Athena relief which
was carved in rock near Cambazli-Somek Village.