"Nata dalla testa di Zeus": sul mito di Atena nel neoplatonismo anticristiano

The paper makes a contribution to the study of female figures in late Neoplatonism and to the analysis of the intersections between pagan and Christian theology in Late Antiquity. It focuses on a specific case study: the myth of Athena’s birth from the head of Zeus. The first section examines its Hellenistic and Late Antique interpretations, by especially highlighting the differences between Porphyry’s exegesis and Proclus’ one. The second and third sections are devoted to Julian’s works: the emperor attributes fundamental metaphysical functions to Athena, and also reacts to the instrumental use of the goddess’ birth made by Christians. Through a careful choice of words Julian succeeds in transforming Athena into a “Christ-like figure”, directly opposed to the Christian Logos.