Final answer:
Athena challenged Arachne to a weaving contest, a story highlighting themes of hubris and divine retribution. Unlike physical confrontations depicted in Hellenistic sculptures, such as the one involving Athena and Alkyoneus, this competition focused on artistic skill and craftsmanship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of competition Athena challenged Arachne to was a weaving contest. The myth tells a story of hubris, as Arachne, a mortal woman, boasted about her weaving skills, claiming they were greater than that of the goddess Athena. Offended by this claim, Athena took on a disguised form and proposed a weaving challenge to Arachne. In the contest, Athena created a tapestry featuring the gods in their glory, while Arachne wove a tapestry depicting the gods' transgressions. Arachne's extraordinary work was flawless, inciting Athena's wrath, and ultimately leading to Arachne's transformation into a spider, weaving for eternity.
Unlike the frieze depicting Athena fighting the giant Alkyoneus, the competition between Arachne and Athena emphasizes skills and artistry rather than physical strength. The myth emphasizes the themes of pride and divine retribution which are common in Greek mythology. It is an enduring story that resonates through various forms of art and literature, capturing the human struggle between mortals and the divine.