About 5% of the global population is afraid of spiders. In many European languages, the word for ‘spider’ comes from the Greek root arachne. In Greek mythology, Athena transformed Arachne into a spider following her victory in a spinning contest.
Arachne’s Tale
There was once a young woman named Arachne, daughter of Idmon of Colophon in Lydia. Idmon of Colophon was famous for his purple dyes. Arachne herself excelled at weaving; it was said she was the best in all the land. She refused to acknowledge that her ability came from the gods, at least in part.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare, took offence to Arachne’s arrogance. She disguised herself as an elderly woman and approached the weaver, saying, “You can never compare to the gods. Plead for forgiveness and spare yourself Athena’s wrath.”
Foolishly, Arachne replied, “Ha! If Athena thinks herself better than me, let her come down and challenge me herself.”
Athena removed her disguise and appeared in all her glory. She challenged Arachne to a weaving competition. Athena weaved a beautiful tapestry depicting the arrogance of humans. But her creation was not quite enough to beat Arachne’s skill: the mortal’s stunning tapestry told tales of the gods, particularly Zeus, abusing humans.
Enraged, Athena tore Arachne’s tapestry to shreds. Once on her own, Arachne hanged herself from shame of her creation and fear of what Athena would do to her. Athena, outraged that this human could escape her wrath, sprinkled the juice of Hecate’s herb over Arachne’s body, transforming her into a spider to weave forever more.
Alternate Versions
There are three common versions of the tale of Arachne. A second states that the competition was between Athena and Poseidon over who would become the patron saint of Athens. While examining her work, Athena spies Arachne’s weaving of Zeus and his habit for seducing women. Athena acknowledges how skilled Arachne is, but must teach her to be humble and respect the gods. She taps Arachne on the forehead. Arachne becomes so ashamed of herself and what she has created that she hangs herself, and Athena brings her back as a spider.
In a third version, Zeus was the judge of the competition between Arachne and Athena. The stakes were high in this version; the loser would never be allowed to use a spindle or loom again. He declared Athena the winner. Taking pity on Arachne, Athena transforms her into a spider so she may weave without the use of man-made tools.
Cultural Influence
Many words for ‘spider’ in romance languages are derived from this myth, as is the taxonomical class that covers spiders and scorpions (Arachnida). Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) also originates from the myth. Arachne has appeared all throughout history and literature. The initial myth was recorded in Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
In more recent times, Arachne is depicted as a half-woman, half-spider hybrid. She appears in this form in the Percy Jackson book series and the TV show Supernatural. The second Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter) uses the name to distinguish herself from the original Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew). One of the characters from the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark took inspiration from the myth.
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Sources:
Encyclopedia Britannica
Greeka
Greek Mythology
Wikipedia
Writing Werewolf 