This thesis initially seeks to identify the criteria by which we may identify adjectives and other descriptors such as relative clauses and substantives which may qualify as epithets. The primary determining factor is whether they are part of the traditional epic poetic inventory. The methods for this will also be established. Once these criteria have been identified, the words and phrases used to describe Athena exclusively which meet those criteria will be examined for their etymologies, frequency of use, metrical structure, and cultural significance. The final chapter will take the etymologies and cultural significance of the epithets examined in detail in Chapter 2, as well as the conclusions drawn from the analyses, and conduct a character study of Athena. It will also investigate new and previously poorly understood elements of the early history of the goddess and her worship during the period before the written records of alphabetic Greek.