The Rape of Proserpina

Finem Respice is back with a post about that #metoo syndrome that seems to afflict women, some of them at or almost past their shelf life (from a male perspective at least), after a seemingly long gestation period. Others all of a sudden feel having been deflowered in an environment where everyone knows that the Vessel for Male Sexual Gratification is the only ticket to get from A to someplace in Holly-, Bolly- or Kollywood.

Here is FR's piece delving into Greek mythology with Athena as one powerful character on the palcscenico:

The daughters of the aristocracy (such as it was) simply did not fare well in classical antiquity. Even the eldest daughters of the greatest kings seemed interminably entangled in kidnappings, hostage taking, the political machinations of the enemies of the city-state they called home, demands for sacrifice by the Gods, or simple murder. To be young, from a prominent family, and female was a daunting state of affairs in c. 400 BCE. Interestingly, at least with respect to Roman mythos, it was a state of affairs that that did not persevere into its modern analogues (today even the most ruthless Mafia leader knows that wives and daughters are strictly off-limits).

Scholars of the classical period would be tasked to name a figure more influential and powerful than Erechtheus II, King of Athens. Erechtheus II was, of course, the grandson of (probably mythical) Erechtheus I, the grandfather noted for being reared by Athena herself. Ironically, his conception was the product of Hephaestus' attempt to rape the (then) virgin Goddess when she visited him to commission several weapons. Hephaestus was beset with lust, and, unable to restrain himself, forced himself on Athena. Not content to be deflowered by a mere blacksmith (Hephaestus, who the Romans made Vulcan, was the Greek God of metallurgy, fire, volcanoes, and so forth) Athena fought Hephaestus off, but his excitement was such that his semen spilled on her leg. She wiped it off and cast it away, and from this was born Erechtheus I, the "shaker of the Earth" who would (legend has it) go on to rule early Athens.

(full post here)

FR relates a true or  fictional rencontre of hers with the other sex and rounds out the character of Athena into the quotidien life.

But, I find I have no taste for such antics, and there is more than a little to be said for the portion of valor that is caution. My career suffered no ill-effects from the events of that crazy Manhattan night. Moreover, why should it have?

For those young women starting off in finance who will, in all probability, find themselves in such circumstances, I must counsel you thus:

There are so many wonderful people in finance, and so many men in the field have, with no expectation of reward or return, given me so much. As for the rest, though they may fancy themselves such, they are not Apollos, Hephaestuses, or Vulcans. They do not have the divine prowess of Pluto. You do not have to play the part of Persephone. But most importantly, never, and I mean never, ever forget...

...there is far more Athena in you than you may realize.

Meanwhile the German financial paper Handelsblatt (no need to read it) has jumped on the bandwagon. Here is the Twitter post from a certain Carina Kontio. Her Twitter handle is @enormgruen. Yep, it translates to 'enormously green'. You have been warned. Just realized she is into road cycling, so I take half of that back.