Greek Mythology: Arachne, the Spider

There once lived in Ypaepa, a town in

Lydia, a girl named Arachne. She was the daughter of master dyer Idmon, from

Colofon, and was, herself, an extremely skillful weaver.

Her tapestries were so fine and delicate, that the playful

nymphs were said to leave their forest homes, just to admire them. The mortals, who marveled at her creations, maintained that

Athena, who was, among other things, the patron goddess of handicrafts, had trained the young maiden in the art of weaving.

But the conceited girl would just laugh at them, claiming that no one, not even Athena herself, could match her workmanship. And, to prove she was right, she went so far as to challenge the goddess to a weaving contest.

Of course, as you'd expect, Athena became enraged at Arachne's arrogance. So, she appeared before the girl, disguised as an old woman, and advised her not to confront the gods, lest she incur their wrath. However, instead of taking heed of the crone's advice, Arachne told her to get lost, whereupon the goddess revealed her true form and proclaimed that the contest was on. Arachne acquiesced, lest she lose face.

The goddess sat at the loom and wove a majestic tapestry, showing her contest with

Poseidon, for the patronage of the city of Athens. On each of the corners, Athena placed the figures of prideful humans being punished by the mighty gods for their defiance. Finally, she decorated the sides with olive branches and leaves. The bystanders applauded in awe at the goddess' work, doubtful that Arachne could better it.

You could have heard a pin drop, as the girl sat at the loom and began to weave. She chose the love affairs of gods as her main theme. Her tapestry, a rare piece of fine art, showed the immortals engaging in various lascivious affairs and wanton activities with mortal women. Its sides were adorned with vine leaves.

Athena grabbed her opponent's tapestry and tried to find flaws, in vain. Blinded by jealousy and angered at Arachne's choice of subjects, the goddess tore the tapestry to shreds and hit the poor girl across the forehead with a shuttle.

Arachne, unable to stand the insult, hanged herself. But Athena didn't let her die. Instead, she turned the poor maiden into a spider and sentenced her and her descendents to a life of eternal weaving, while being suspended from a thread.

People worldwide still remember Arachne to this day, as they have given her name to a class of wingless

arthropods, known as

arachnids. And, of course, it should come as no surprise to you that the Greek word for spider is... Arachne.

Note: The web-spinning spider pictured above is Argiope bruennichi. Although not very common, I have seen it a couple of times in the Pelion area