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COMPARISON This discussion question is based upon your readings in Chapter 6 and Lecture on "Athena

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COMPARISON This discussion question is based upon your readings in Chapter 6 and Lecture on "Athena." The text illustrates the unbreakable relationship between Athens and Athena on many levels: cities had origin myths for Athens it is Athena, a goddess who was the political center, who loved them deeply, for although she is a virgin goddess, out of love she gives birth to a son who becomes one of the first kings of Athens; through the magic of weaving, or perhaps the source is GE or GAIA. Although we do not read the the other plays by Aeschylus that deal with Orestes; our text provides a sample from Eumenides. Also in your assigned reading Comparison: a thought-provoking concept is proposed, in which, Athena, as a concept, is compared to Neith, a creatrix in Egyptian mythology. Thus, in the readings "Cosmogonies at the  Temple of Esna" we have another example of the birth of a deity and a ceremony honoring that role in society. Note: Comparison section 6.3 begins on p. 272 with important information about the documented interactions between Egypt and Greece. 

Assignment: Make a list of the similarities between Neith from the readings on p 275-278 and Athena in Eumenides. Utilizing that list discuss thoroughly if you find these similarities  sufficient to assume that there is a syncretism between the two? AND What conclusions might be drawn about the differences between Athena and Neith from their modes of giving birth to Erectheus and RE respectively? 

Note:  To avoid confusion there are two similar names for 'first king of Athens often interchanged so when you read that sentence on p. 258 "Ericthonius is also considered an early king of Athens as is Erectheus, who is sometimes considered is son and sometimes conflated with him." There are one in the same.

Remember to discuss the topic thoroughly, in well-structured paragraphs.