Αραχνη
A Lydian girl whose father, Idmon of Colophon, was a dyer. While quite young she gained the reputation for weaving and embroidery. The tapestries she designed were so beautiful that the Nymphs from the countryside around used to come to gaze at them. Her skill gained her the reputation of having been Athena's pupil, for she was the goddess of spinners and embroiderers. But Arachne was unwilling to attribute he talent to anyone but herself. She challenged the goddess, who accepted the challenge and appeared to her in the guise of an old woman. At first Athena did no more than warn Arachne and advise her to behave with great modesty: otherwise she would have to fear the goddess's wrath. Arachne replied only with insults, at which point the goddess threw off her disguise and the contest began.
The design of Pallas' tapestry showed the twelve Olympian gods in all their majesty, and as a warning to her rival, in each of the corners, Athena wove pictures showing the defeat of mortals who had dared to defy the gods. Arachne's theme on her tapestry was the least creditable love affairs of the gods: Zeus and Europa, Zeus and Danae, and so on. Her work was perfect, but Athena was so angry that she tore it up and struck her rival with the shuttle. At this abuse Arachne lost heart and hanged herself, but Athena would not let her die and changed her into a spider which continues to spin and weave until it has no more thread (for another tradition, see Phalanx).
{E2 DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY}
Table of Sources:
- Ovid, Met. 6, 5ff.
- Virgil, Georg. 4, 246 with Serv. ad loc.