Basilica of Minerva

Poetry, art, science, medicine, weaving and crafts all came under the auspices of the goddess Minerva. Her temples were meeting places for craftsmen, poets and actors. Above all she was known as the goddess of wisdom and, as such, had influence on every aspect of Roman life. Daughter of Jupiter, born not from a mother but from his head, Minerva was a major deity and governed thinking, calculating and the assessment of any situation. She was very important both in peace and war and many leaders asked her for cunning in battle. This was often repaid by war booty being given to her temples after victory. Statues of her show a brave maiden with helmet, shield and a coat of mail. As with many of the Roman gods, other cultures were seen as having their own local counterparts to Minerva. In Britain, for example, she was aligned with Sulis. The only surviving temple to Minerva is in Chester, England.