Athena was among the most widely worshipped of the ancient Greek deities. Chiefly associated with Athens, she was also venerated throughout the cities and regions of the Greek world where her main role was the guardian of the polis, the principal organisation unit of Greek life. She plays a part in many of the most important myths, including the story of the Olympian succession and the Trojan War. Her role as the patron of heroes, including Herakles, Perseus and Bellerophon, makes her central to numerous hero myths. With her distinctive appearance – armed yet wearing a dress – she remains one of the most intriguing of the gods, who, while the epitome of the strong woman, was the patron of male institutions and friend to patriarchy.