What is the story of Arachne and Athena?

Well, as you should know, Athena basically invented weaving. She stood behind the greatest artists of Greece, and taught them the fine and useful arts. She, of course, had great pride in her own work, but she was happy to see her students improve as long as they showed her proper respect.

One of her students was a girl named Arachne. She was amazingly skilled at the loom, and people came from all over to marvel at her weaving. Stupidly, she boasted that she had learned nothing from the Athena, in fact, that she was better than the goddess!

Enraged, Athena challenged Arachne to a weaving competition. Athena wove the most beautiful tapestry ever seen, showing all of the gods in all their brilliance. Arachne's tapestry was also wonderfully beautiful, but the picture that she drew was one making fun of Zeus and his wives!

In a wrath, Athena tore the tapestry to shreds, and turned Arachne into the first spider. That's also were the term: Arachnophobia comes from.

Oh, and if you are interested in learning about the Greek myths, I recommend the

D'aulaires' Book of Greek Myths.

Also, if you want to know more about Greek myths, I've been reading an amazing series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians! It rocks!