Athena (Hercules and Xena)
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 Paris Jefferson as Athena |
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Athena is a fictional character on the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Young Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess. She has been portrayed by three different actress, each giving the character differing personalities. Actress Amanda Lister was the first to portray Athena on Hercules, Jane Fullerton-Smith portrayed the character on Young Hercules and Paris Jefferson portrayed the character on Xena.
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[edit] Character History
[edit] Overview
Athena only appears in three episodes of Xena, but her contribution to the story is significant. She is shown in lustrous armor made of gold and silver. Athena is confident, commanding and often cold. She blames Xena for the death of her father Zeus. She takes his place as ruler of the Olympian gods, leading them to try and destroy Xena and her daughter Eve to prevent the fated Twilight of the Gods. Athena is often opposed with her brother Ares, due to his affections towards the Warrior Princess. It is because of him she suffers her demise.
[edit] Character development
On Xena, Athena makes her first appearance in "Amphipolis under Siege", where she sends her best warrior Ilainus, and her elite archers to target Amphipolis, Xena's native city, to force Xena to relinquish her child and prevent the Twilight of the Gods. Athena seems to be the only deity who is respected by Xena, with Xena commenting "I would never expect this from you",[1] and it is evident that Athena does not wish to harm Xena. During the episode, it is also learned that Amphipolis is devoted to Athena and she has been protecting the village for years.[1] However, prompted by Xena's mother, the townspeople rebel against her demands. Athena's anger surfaces, launching a full scale attack on Amphipolis. She is defeated and Ilainus is killed, but she reminds Ares, who had helped Xena, "We are next".[1] Seeing the relationship between Athena and Ilainus, it is possible that part of Xena's admiration comes from the similarities between Xena and Athena and their loves for Gabrielle and Ilainus.
In her next appearance, "Looking Death in the Eye", a more callous Athena emerges who has taken the Olympian throne. She is seen commanding the other gods and seemingly outwitting Xena as she kidnaps Gabrielle to use as a trade for Eve.[2] In the end, her true power is seen when she supposedly kills Xena, Gabrielle and Eve with fire blasts from her sacred sword.
Her final appearance in "Motherhood", which happens after Xena and Gabrielle escape from their icy tombs. A more cunning side is seen to Athena, as she carefully schemes to eliminate Eve by using the help of the Furies.[3] This plan does result in the temporary death of Eve when Xena and Athena have a showdown at Mount Olympus, when Athena's hand-to-hand combat skills are displayed.
She is killed by Xena due to the help of Ares, who sacrifices his immortality to save Eve, giving Xena back her power as "Slayer of the Gods".[3]
Athena only appears in one Hercules episode, in that episode she is having a friendly contest with her two sisters Aphrodite and Artemis.
Athena appears in one episode of Young Hercules as the Head of the Tribunal, who held Ares on trial for breaking Zeus' protection order by attempting to kill Hercules.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Amphipolis under Siege". Xena: Warrior Princess. 2000-02-14.
- ^ "Looking Death in the Eye". Xena: Warrior Princess. 2000-04-24.
- ^ a b "Motherhood". Xena: Warrior Princess. 2000-05-15.
[edit] External links
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