Latest research from the Oinops Group at Hour 25
indicates Athena can see in the dark! http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu/?p=6152
So
the theory is that Athena of the “flashing-eyes” has “tapetum lucidum” like deer in the ditch on a dark night and consequently notices that the
water is deep blue at Odyssey 2.420. So at least metaphorically, she can see in
the dark.
I
never thought about this before. It
would explain how Zeus found the magic herb that would have made the giants
invulnerable when he banished the Hyperionides from the sky. Zeus could see in the dark and the Giants
couldn’t . (Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 34 – 38) It explains how the
Muses saw events at night, like the Doloneia and could inform the poets. It explains how Hermes (in his hymn) so
successful stole Apollo’s cattle at night while only “Selene's soft light shone down”.
I will
have to think on this
