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Poseidon and Athena
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Being the patron of a city means being worshipped by the townspeople who sacrifice their crops in your name every day. The more people worship you, the more power you have. Poseidon knew this and decided to go for a city in the heart of Greece which was growing rapidly in population and power.
Poseidon dissolved into sea water, reforming in the center of the city where he greeted the people.
“Citizens!” he bellowed. “I am Poseidon and I am here to be your patron.”
Poseidon was surprised that they didn’t notice him for a few seconds. But when they parted, he recognized a tall woman in armor carrying a helmet under the crook of her arm.
“Lord Poseidon,” one of the townsfolk called out, “the goddess Athena just offered us the same thing.”
“Non… Nonsense!” Poseidon sputtered. “You do not want this upstart, this second-generation goddess, to be your patron. You need someone like me with true power to be your patron.”
The townsfolk mumbled to each other, unsure of what to do, when Athena interjected, “I was here first and therefore should have the right to claim this city. If you insist on taking this city, we shall have a contest in which the citizens will decide who will be their new patron. If you’re so great, you should have no problem winning easily. The loser will go in peace.”
Poseidon smiled to himself. Now this goddess was challenging him, as if she could do anything better than he could.
“Of course, of course, yes. We shall have this contest and see who really is the best,” Poseidon said agreeably. “What is the contest about?”
“We shall invent something for this city, and it will be judged on its usefulness,” Athena declared.
Once again, Poseidon smiled because he had already been planning to create his invention regardless of this contest.
“I shall go first,” he replied smugly. He threw his trident into the ground, creating a geyser in the earth. Water spewed into the air, taking the form of a magnificent steed.
“I call them horses,” Poseidon proclaimed. “They are fast and strong, and they can pull your chariots into battle or anywhere you choose. They can help you grow crops and pull carts. And they can carry anything you please.”
The townsfolk erupted into applause. Poseidon walked over to the people, ready to make the arrangements, before Athena stopped him.
“Not so fast, Uncle,” Athena jeered. She twirled her spear, stabbing it into the ground, creating a crack in the earth barely visible to the human eye. Out of it sprouted a tiny sapling.
“A plant?” Poseidon laughed. “You really think a plant is better than my horses? Come on. Let’s start building my temple.”
“Hold on a minute. This plant, though it may seem small and insignificant to you now, will grow into something great.” She tapped her spear at the base of the plant, causing it to grow and grow until it reached full height. Athena plucked one of the tree’s fruits and held it up for the people to see.
“This is an olive,” she announced. “You can cook and season your food with it, and its oils can be used to create perfume and light candles. It is excellent for your health, and its medicinal properties can cure many ailments. Besides, the land here is far too rocky for any animal to travel over, but the soil of this land is perfect for growing these olives. And you wouldn’t need chariots anyway if you don’t get into any wars, and that is where I can help you since I am the goddess of wisdom and warfare. I can help you far more than any horse can.”
The citizens cheered, forgetting all about Poseidon, leaving him awestruck at the sudden turn of events. With that, he created a tidal wave and leaped into it, forgetting about his promise to leave in peace and sending the wave crashing into the city. However, Athena shielded the city and her new followers from the brunt of the damage.
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The citizens of the city began building a temple for Athena and-- just to be nice and to be sure that no more attacks would come their way-- also one for Poseidon. The new city under Athena’s patronage would grow to become one of the most powerful and respected cities in all of Greece. It would take the name of Athena and be known as Athens. At its center stood the shrines to Athena and to Poseidon, now known as the Pantheon.