The story of

Arachne and Minerva

"This myth describes the birth of the spider and it's

web."

                               

 

Arachne was a very talented young peasant girl who was an excellent spinner and weaver of wool. Her talent impressed many, from the water nymphs who traveled

from the creeks and rivers, to the wood nymphs from near forest areas. They would come and watch her weave the most exquisite tapestries.

One day one of the wood nymphs asked Arachne if she had been blessed by Minerva with her gift of weaving. (Minerva was the goddess of weaving and

handicrafts.)

Arachne laughed at the nymph's remark and replied,"Minerva has taught me nothing! I've taught myself everything I know!" She ended her remark with a challenge

to Minerva. Arachne wanted to have a contest to see who should be called 'goddess of the loom.'

 

The nymphs covered their mouths, frightened to hear such unrespectful words about the powerful goddess of Mt. Olympus. Minerva herself was furious when word

got back to her about Arachne's challenge. The goddess immediately went to Arachne's cottage in disguise and hobbled with a cane to Arachne's home. When

Arachne was faced with Minerva she was shocked and annoyed with the old woman's warnings. Minerva just stood there shaking her finger at Arachne warning,

and scolding her not to compare herself with the great goddess.

 

Arachne didn't even begin to take the old woman seriously. She responded to the old lady, "If Minerva is so great why doesn't she just come here and show me!?"

 

"She is here!" boomed a powerful voice, and right before Arachne the old woman changed into the goddess Minerva.

 

Arachne quickly became ashamed, yet she never backed down and went straight toward her doom. "Hello Minerva," Arachne whispered under her breath. "Do you

dare to finally weave against me?" she said, gaining greater confidence. Minerva just glared at the girl as she walked into the cottage ready to take up Arachne's

challenge. As Minerva entered the cottage, slaves dashed about setting up two looms. Then Arachne and Minerva sat down at their looms and began working. Their

fingers flew back and forth as they wove a rainbow of colors.

 

Minerva wove a tapestry showing the twelve greatest gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus. Arachne wove a tapestry showing not only the gods and goddesses, but

their adventures as well. Then she outlined her tapestry with a magnificent work of flowers with a hint of ivy so as to not clutter the border.

 

It was pretty obvious who had done the best work. Arachne's tapestry was clearly better than Minerva's. They even had the goddess Envy inspect Arachne's work

and even she thought Arachne's tapestry was beautiful and flawless.

 

Minerva lost her temper with Envy's words. The goddess tore Arachne's tapestry and then started hitting Arachne mercilessly until Arachne crawled away barely

hanging on to her life. At last Minerva decided to let Arachne live, but with some conditions. Arachne was to hang forever and weave in the air. Just before the

goddess left she sprinkled magic over Arachne and the girl's hair fell out, and her nose and ears fell off as well. Her head shrank to a tiny size until she was mostly a

giant belly but her fingers could still weave. Minerva had turned her into a spider. Ever since then spiders have woven beautiful webs.

 

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