ATHENE Also known as Pallas-Athene, or Diana, she was supposed to have sprung to life fully-grown from the head of Zeus, while all Earth shook, the sea tossed like a living thing, and the light of day was extinguished. It was said that Zeus had previously swallowed his wife, Metis, to prevent her giving birth to a son. The operation of opening his head, that Athene might be born, was performed by Hephaestos. It is theorized that she was brought into being in order that she might carry out the deeds that he would want to do, but as the Supreme God, could not, having to be impartial.