Soon after her victory at the contest with Poseidon, Athena found herself in need of new weapons. She visited Hephaestus who, unfortunately, was vexed at his wife’s absence and made a move on Athena. The virgin goddess escaped but Hephaestus’ seed landed on her thigh. She removed it with a scrap of wool and discarded it, but the scrap impregnated Gaia (the Earth), who gave birth to Erichthonius. Despite the unfortunate events surrounding his conception, Athena took the newborn child under her protection and poured a few drops of Medusa’s blood in his eyes to make him immortal. She then entrusted him in secret to the daughters of Cecrops (who chose her as the patron of Athens).