Minerva of York

Walking around the historic city of York, in Northern England, one gets to see a number of beautiful and characteristic themes and artefacts, reminding us of an ancient past. Near York Minster, on Petergate which was the main cross street of Roman York, one finds a small statue of Minerva, the equivalent to Goddess Athena from Ancient Greek Religion and Mythology, who was the Goddess of Wisdom. Here Athena, or Minerva, is sitting with an owl and a pile of books, a reminder of the days when this was the street of bookbinders and booksellers. Interestingly enough, this point is the main road intersection of Roman York and the entrance to the Principia, i.e. the Roman military headquarters.