Arachne

Arachne's skill drew nymphs away from their streams and vineyards. She was known for the work of her hands, not for an illustrious family. Her father dyed wool, and she had made her own name in Lydia. The nymphs watched her prepare the fleece, turn it on the spindle and shape cloth with the needle. They believed Pallas had taught her. Arachne denied it and challenged the goddess to a contest. An old visitor urged her to respect Pallas and withdraw the challenge. Arachne refused. The visitor cast off her disguise, and the two weavers took their places at separate looms.

Pallas wove the contest over Athens's name, then added corners showing mortals punished after claiming divine honours. Arachne's cloth showed gods using disguise to deceive women. Europa rode away on the bull who was Jupiter; Jupiter took the form of gold to deceive Danae. Asterie was seized by an eagle, while Leda lay beneath a swan's wings. Arachne's web was faultless. Pallas tore it because it exposed the gods' deceptions, struck Arachne, then lifted her as she tried to hang herself. The goddess pronounced punishment on Arachne's race and descendants before sprinkling her with an herb. Arachne's hair, nose and ears fell away; her body shrank and her fingers became legs. She lived on as a spider, still giving forth thread and weaving as before.