Arachne. A Maeonian maid, named Arachne, proud of her skill in weaving and embroidery, in which arts, the goddess of wisdom had instructed her, ventured to deny her obligation, and challenged her patroness to a trial of skill. Minerva accepted the challenge and they met to try their skill. Arachne produced a piece of cloth in which the amours of the gods were woven, and as the goddess could find no fault with it, she tore the work to pieces. Arachne, in despair, hung herself. Athena loosened the rope and saved her life, but the rope was changed into a cobweb, and Arachne herself into a spider.

---