• The contest between Neptune and Minerva for the right of naming Athens, in which Minerva carried the day by the vote of the women. This is one of the subjects which Minerva wrought in her trial of skill with Arachne. Ovid, Metamorphoses , VI :⁠— “Pallas in figures wrought the heavenly powers, And Mars’s hill among the Athenian towers. On lofty thrones twice six celestials sate, Jove in the midst, and held their warm debate; The subject weighty, and well known to fame, From whom the city should receive its name. Each god by proper features was expressed, Jove with majestic mien excelled the rest. His three-forked mace the dewy sea-god shook, And, looking sternly, smote the ragged rock; When from the stone leapt forth a sprightly steed, And Neptune claims the city for the deed. Herself she blazons, with a glittering spear, And crested helm that veiled her braided hair, With shield, and scaly breastplate, implements of war. Struck with her pointed lance, the teeming earth Seemed to produce a new, surprising birth; When from the glebe the pledge of conquest sprung, A tree pale-green with fairest olives hung.” ↩