Violently, she tore Arachne's tapestry and pressed a finger to Arachne's forehead. So flawless, so lifelike was her artistry, not even Athena could refute the skill, nor could she contain her anger at such a sleight. Yet Arachne's weavings depicted Zeus in his many infidelities with mortals. Athena wove a glorious tapestry depicting her battle with Poseidon over the city of Athens.
Furious, Athena revealed herself and accepted the challenge. Arachne dismissed the old woman and issued a challenge that no God, not even Athena, could weave better than she. When Athena heard this, disguised as a crone, she visited Arachne and encouraged her to show proper respect to the Gods. To this comparison, Arachne proudly scoffed, claiming not even the Gods rivaled her talent at weaving. So wondrous and majestic were her tapestries, it was said the spinner must have been instructed by the patron Goddess of Weavers herself, Athena. Viewers traveled leagues just to see her art. With loom and thread, there were none more skilled than the mortal Arachne. Once, a beautiful and talented weaver of cloth and fabric, a single prideful mistake made a monster of Arachne for all time.
