This is my final assignment at University.

Needs a bit of tweaking, some double spacing, and a paragraph explaining how it's "Pre-Hellenic" and then I'll be done. So long, and thanks for all the fish. I will soon be returning to my regular modus operandi of posting every damn thought that pops into my head. Rejoice, you fictional peasants!

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Artemis and Athene
By Andrew Root

It came to pass that Zeus, lord of the gods, desired Themis, one of the Titans. Themis protested Zeus' advances and instead offered him a bargain. If he was able to have one goddess kill another, she would become his maid and servant. Themis underestimated Zeus' lust, as he immediately set to work at arranging a duel between two goddesses. Disguising himself in the form of Athene, Zeus visited Artemis and challanged her to a duel. Artemis accepted, though was puzzled as to why Athene would challenge her in this manner. Zeus then disguised himself as Artemis and offered the same challenge to Athene, who similarly accepted.

On the agreed upon day, Athene and Artemis met to discuss the terms of the duel while Zeus hid nearby to watch the proceedings. Athene proposed a weaving contest, but Artemis protested, saying that she was clearly not as accomplished a weaver as Athene and that such a contest would be unfair. Athene agreed and asked Artemis what contest she would suggest. Artemis proposed a hunting contest, but Athene protested, saying that she was not nearly as good a hunter as Artemis and such a contest would too be unfair. Artemis concurred.

The two goddesses decided that the only fair way for the two of them to fight a duel would be to have an outright battle, though both found the idea unsavoury. Athene was very skilled with her spear and shield, and Aretmis, her bow and arrow. The two goddesses began to fight, and Zeus, certain of his victory in the wager snuck off to find Themis and claim his victory.

Athene thrust her spear at Artemis, but Artemis' reflexes were so finely attuned that she dodged the blow easily. Artemis drew an arrow from her quiver and fired, but Athene had anticipated this and sidestepped the arrow gracefully. Promptly the two goddesses realized the futility of their duel. They both had no hope of harming the other, Artemis because of her strong intsincts for battle and Athene for her deft cunning and strategy. They declared the duel a draw and called the whole affair off simultaneously.

Meanwhile, Zeus had exercised his victory claim over Themis, who bore three children of this union; Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene. When Themis learned of the two goddesses forfeiting the duel she became enraged with Zeus for falsely caliming his prize. She complained to Artemis and Athene and informed them of Zeus' actions. Both goddesses were incensed and took their revenge in their own ways.

Artemis quit Olympus, never to return and Zeus lost his dominion over her. She took to the wild and never heeded Zeus again. Athene stole away Zeus and Themis' three children and presented them as a gift to the Greeks. Together with the Greeks and Athene, Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene set up the first court of justice in Greece beginning a tradition of using speech and rationality to settle differences rather than violence. These revenges hurt Zeus tremendously, as he lost control over a powerful goddess and the Greek people were now worshipping Athene for a gift that was rightly his to bestow.