What are some facts about the Greek goddess Athena?

Athena is a Greek virgin goddess and daughter of Zeus. She is the goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. Greek mythology credits her with inventing the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses.

Founders named the city of Athens, Greece, after Athena. She became patron goddess of the city after she defeated the Greek god Poseidon in a contest. The goddess Athena is the patroness of many crafts, especially weaving. There are several variations of her birth, with the most common tale being that she had no mother, but sprang from the womb full grown and clad in armour from Zeus' forehead.