Ata (goddess)

Ata ( dr. Greek Ἄτη , “trouble, misfortune, blinding”, translated by Gnedich Obid) - in ancient Greek mythology ^[1] - the goddess , personification of error, confusion of mind, deception, stupidity.

Repeatedly mentioned by Homer and Aeschylus. In The Iliad , Homer calls Atu the eldest daughter of Zeus , without mentioning, however, her mother.

In “ Theogony ” of Hesiod, the mother of Ata is called the goddess of discord Eris ^[2] , but the name of the father is not mentioned, in connection with which many considered the father of Ata Zeus.

Tradition says that at the instigation of Hera, Ata darkened the mind of Zeus, and he swore that his first born descendant would then become a great ruler. Hera, taking advantage of the oath, hastened to make Eurystheus born before Heracles . Having learned about this, the Thunderer in anger threw Ata from heaven to earth, forbidding her to appear more in the abode of the gods. Since then, Ata has wandered the earth, preferring, however, to walk over human heads, bringing mortal devastation and devastation.

According to Apollodorus , Ata, cast off from heaven, fell to the top of the mountain in Phrygia , later named after her, and Palladium fell with it ^[3] . Later, on this mountain, Il founded the legendary Ilion (Troy) ^[4] , so Troy is called based on the hill of Ata ^[5] .

In honor of Ata, the asteroid (111) Ata , discovered in 1870, is named.