One of the lesser-known Greco-Roman myths is that of Arachne.
Although her story is less detailed than others it gives a wonderful insight into ancient culture.
The myth of Arachne functions as a moralistic warning, a subtle critique of the gods and as an origin story.
Arachne was the beautiful daughter of a shepherd. At a young age she demonstrated an extraordinary gift for weaving. As she grew older her talent for weaving grew too, many people gathered to view her beautiful tapestries or to watch her work at the loom.
After years of hearing adoring praise for her weaving, Arachne became arrogant, boasting that her work was more beautiful than Athena’s.
This was a brave assertion, as Athena was the patron goddess of weaving and craft. Arachne refused to acknowledge Athena’s hand in her great talent and claimed superiority over the goddess.
Unsurprisingly, Athena did what most Greek gods did when a mortal showed too much hubris – she disguised herself and went to visit Arachne.
Posing as a an old woman, Athena advised Arachne that she should be more careful about her careless boasting and that she should beg the goddess for forgiveness. Arachne dismissively responded that Athena wouldn’t dare challenge her.
Infuriated Athena revealed herself to Arachene. Arachne challenges the goddess to a contest: who can weave the most beautiful tapestry wins and the contest was to be judged by the goddess envy.
Athena weaves a perfectly symmetrical, technically flawless tapestry depicting the glory of the gods and in the four corners showing mortals who were severely punished for insulting the gods.
Arachne, on the other hand, weaved a very different tapestry. While hers was also flawless, it depicted the gods in a less favourable light.
The tapestry portrayed scenes of the gods mistreating women, deceiving innocent mortals and other embarrassing behaviour.
Enraged Athena tore Arachne’s tapestry to pieces and began to beat her with a shuttle (a tool used in the weaving process). Arachne, unable to bear the abuse, committed suicide.
Athena took pity on Arachne and brought her back to life – not as a young woman, but in the form of a spider so that Arachne could continue to weave, but not boast.
This myth describes the creation of spiders and is where the word arachnid derives. It is also a myth that was intended to act as a warning – a reminder to never challenge the gods.
It also conveys something else of importance- that the ancient Greeks were very aware that their gods were flawed.
This opinion may have been unpopular and perhaps dangerous to express, but it existed nonetheless.
