Athena was born in a unique and extraordinary way according to Greek mythology. She is the daughter of Zeus, but her birth did not involve a mother in the usual sense. The most common and classical version of her birth is that Zeus swallowed Metis, the goddess of counsel and wisdom, while she was pregnant with Athena. Zeus did this because he feared a prophecy that the child Metis bore would be more powerful than him and might overthrow him. After swallowing Metis, Athena grew inside Zeus's head. Eventually, Zeus experienced a severe headache, and to relieve it, he had his head cleaved open by either Hephaestus or another divine figure. From Zeus's forehead, Athena emerged fully grown, dressed in armor, and ready for battle. This extraordinary birth symbolizes her attributes of wisdom, strategic warfare, and intellect

. Thus, Athena is often said to have been born without a mother, emerging fully armed from Zeus's forehead, making her a unique deity among the Olympians