Gordiya of Shāhnāmeh and Athena of Iliad: An Exploratory Comparison

The primary Indo-European goddesses, including Athena, have adopted certain traits from the societal culture of ancient women tribes, such as the Scythians. Over time, due to various reasons or factors, these characteristics have been integrated into the characters of the epics of Indo-European nations. By examining the persona of Athena and comparing it with Gordiya, an epic woman from Iran, it becomes evident that Gordiya has inherited some of Athena's attributes under the influence of mythological transformation and cultural interactions between Iran and Greece. The objective of the present study is to analyze the similarities and differences between Gordiya, a historical figure in the Shāhnāmeh, and Athena, the Greek mythological deity, through a descriptive-comparative approach. These two female icons share qualities such as beauty, nobility, wisdom, activity, combat skills, and proficiency in weapon usage. The main distinction between them lies in the fact that Athena possesses divine attributes, which Gordiya lacks. The research findings reveal that key aspects of Athena's personality can be discerned in Gordiya's character.