Arachne was a mortal woman in Greek mythology who challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving contest. Despite her incredible skill, Arachne wove tapestries that depicted the gods in unflattering ways. Athena was enraged by Arachne's hubris and transformed her into a spider, cursing her and her descendants to weave webs for eternity.
The story of Arachne is a powerful allegory about the dangers of pride and the importance of respecting the power of the gods. Its themes have been explored in literature and art throughout the ages, from the works of Ovid to the contemporary paintings of Louise Bourgeois.
Works Cited:
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing, 2011.
Morford, Mark P. O., and Robert J. Lenardon. Classical Mythology. Oxford University Press, 2014.
