Final answer:
In Book 20 of the Iliad, Athena convinces Aeneas to face Achilles in battle by pointing out Achilles' lesser divine lineage. As the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena often plays a key role in the mythology surrounding Greek heroes. Option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Book 20 of the Iliad, it is Athena who convinces Aeneas to confront Achilles. The passage suggests the complexity of divine genealogy and the often tumultuous relations among the gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. Despite Achilles' formidable reputation and semi-divine heritage, his lineage is considered lesser to that of Aeneas, a fact that Athena uses to embolden Aeneas. This interplay between divine and human affairs is a common theme in the Iliad, shedding light on the belief systems and cultural values of ancient Greece.
Athena is known as a goddess of wisdom and warfare, often playing a strategic and influential role in Greek mythology. She represents the intellectual and military prowess admired by the Greeks and is deeply woven into their tales, as seen in her involvement in the tales of heroes such as Odysseus and, in this case, her encouragement of Aeneas to fight Achilles.
So, the mention of the correct option answer in the final answer for the student's inquiry is c. Athena.