Arachne
![Pallas and Arachne by Peter Paul Rubens](https://media.mythopedia.com/738xuxZan8jjBipyZdlZPV/bcf1b329b683ed54a726ca47ba79ecb3/pallas-and-arachne-by-peter-paul-rubens-1636-1637-virginia-museum-of-fine-arts.jpg?w=1920&q=50&fit=crop&ar=3:2&crop=faces,focalpoint&auto=compress,format)
Pallas and Arachne by Peter Paul Rubens (1636–1637)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VAPublic DomainOverview
Arachne—daughter of the Lydian dyer Idmon of Colophon—was so proud of her skill as a weaver that she challenged Athena herself, the goddess of crafts, to a weaving contest. When Arachne’s tapestry surpassed Athena’s, the goddess flew into a rage and attacked her. Arachne then hanged herself. But Athena took pity on the dead girl and turned her into a spider so that she could continue her weaving.
The only complete retelling of the myth of Arachne comes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses; the origins of the myth are unknown. This story has remained extremely popular over the centuries, inspiring numerous artistic, literary, and cinematic adaptations.[1]