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The story of Arachne is about a woman that was transformed into a spider by the goddess Athena, as a warning to the ancient Greeks to respect the gods.

Arachne was the daughter of Idmon, who some say he was aristocrat, while others claim he was a painter. They lived in the ancient Greek city of Colophon in Lydia. The area was known for its woven fabrics, and Arachne was raised as an excellent weaver.

It was rumored that she owed her talent to the goddess Athena, who was the protector of weaving art. The arrogance of Arachne displeased Athena, so the goddess was disguised as an elderly woman who warned the girl to recognize the supremacy of Athena.

Arachne, however, refused to do so, and told the old woman that she could defeat Athena in a weaving contest. Listening to this, Athena revealed herself to Arachne, and they both immediately started working on different textiles. Athena's embroidery depicted her own triumphant achievements and showed in detail the fortunes of the mortals who dared to challenge the gods. The work of Arachne satirized the gods, especially the lust for the mortal women that had Poseidon, Apollo, Dionysus, and above all Zeus himself, who often tricked his victims before seduce them.

Outraged by the insolence of Arachne, as well as by her unparalleled aptitude, Athena touched the front of the girl, forcing her to feel such guilt, that she hang herself. Shocked by this development, Athena sprouted the body of Arachne with the acorn (which is a poisonous plant), turning her into a spider.

From there, the spider took its name(in greek Arachne means spider), but also the excellent art that it exhibits when weaving its web.