Temple to Minerva

[Romae Fabulus]

Minerva:
Minerva was the goddess of wisdom. Her symbol was the owl. Her Greek name was Athene, and Athens was her city.

She had a strange birth. One day, Jupiter had a bad headache. Nothing would cure it. Eventually Vulcan split open Jupiter's head. Out jumped Minerva in armour with shield and spear! Jupiter felt much better afterwards. Don't try this at home.

Minerva was the goddess of arts and crafts. She was particularly good at weaving. Once a woman called Arachne wove a beautiful picture. Minerva tried to find something wrong with it. When she couldn't, she tore it up and turned Arachne into a spider. The spider still weaves beautiful webs.

Minerva helped the hero Perseus to kill the gorgon Medusa, who was a monster with snakes instead of hair. Anyone who looked at a gorgon turned to stone! But Minerva told Perseus to look at Medusa's reflection in a polished shield. That way he could cut the head off without looking directly at the gorgon. He gave the head to Minerva, who put it on her shield, so it would turn her enemies to stone.

[Gracchus Tiberius [3-167BC]]

*Tiberius walked in and knelt humbly before the statue of Minerva*

Laudo Minerva! Long have you guided my family in the paths of wisdom. We have viewed you as our patron goddess and for our loyalty you preserved our family in these dark times. You gave my forefathers the knowledge to become great, now I humbly ask that you grant me wisdom so that I may make our family great once again. I would also seek to serve you here in your temple and abroad as flamen, if it be your will.

*Donates 1,000c to the Temple of Minerva*

[Gracchus Julius [3-167BC]]

"Oh wise and powerful Minerva, give me the strength and wisdom of my forefathers so that I might conquer my enemies."