What if it lines up like it did in the Trojan War ... Athena versus Poseidon?'I don't know. But I just know that I'll be fighting next to you.'Why?'Because you're my friend, Seaweed Brain. Any more stupid questions?

The sense of tragedy - according to Aristotle - comes, ironically enough, not from the protagonist's weak points but from his good qualities. Do you know what I'm getting at? People are drawn deeper into tragedy not by their defects but by their virtues. Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex being a great example. Oedipus is drawn into tragedy not because of laziness or stupidity, but because of his courage and honesty. So an inevitable irony results....[But] we accept irony through a device called metaphor. And through that we grow and become deeper human beings.

People usually asked her if she had a belly button. Of course she had a belly button. She couldn't explain how. She didn't really want to know.

Remind me again-why do you hate me so much?'I don't hate you.'Could've fooled me.'She folded her cap of invisibility. 'Look...We're just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals.'Why?'She sighed. 'How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught Poseidon with his girlfriend in Athena's temple, which is hugely disrespectful. Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring for his gift. My mom created the olive tree. The people saw that her gift was better, so they named the city after her.'They must really like olives.'Oh, forge.

The woman's face was grimly drawn, an ugly expression on an indescribably beautiful face. “This is the Shadowdun. You know who I am, but I wish to know you more. What is your name?” Her voice was rich; it sounded sweet and smooth in Athena's ears, like soft honey. She hated every last word.

I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain,' she said. 'Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up.

If Annabeth's mother was Athena, the goddess of wisdom, then why didn't Annabeth know better than to fall off a cliff?

It sucks. I think you'd make a pretty snake woman, but I'm not really into that kind of girl. Those pointy teeth and slitted nose. Their mindless need to kill...' He shuddered.

The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation,' she said. 'Evil is easy to fight. Lack of wisdom… that is very hard indeed.

It's one of my inventions-a shampoo,' Athena explained. 'Anyway, I didn't know it would do'-she gestured toward the snakes-'that.