Arachne, << uh RAK nee >>, was a skilled weaver in Greek mythology. She boasted that she could weave fabrics more beautiful than those woven by Athena, the goddess of arts and crafts. Athena, disguised as an old woman, warned Arachne not to be so boastful. When Arachne scorned her advice, Athena revealed herself as a goddess and accepted Arachne’s challenge to a weaving contest.
Athena wove a tapestry that pictured mortals being punished by the gods for their pride. Arachne’s work showed the shocking misbehavior of gods and goddesses. When Athena saw that Arachne’s work was as beautiful as her own, the goddess angrily ripped the fabric. As Arachne attempted to hang herself in terror, Athena took pity on her and transformed her into a spider. Arachne’s skill survived in the spinning of webs by spiders.
