2 well-known reasons why Athena people: Athena hated to lose and she hated to be betrayed.
Explanation:
Athena would get these challenges from the mortals and if they did better than her, then she would curse them a good example of this would be Arachne and the weaving contest. She also hated to be betrayed considering she was the goddess of war and she could stand as a peacemaker. Medusa for example had a vow to Athena before when she was <em>human</em> but she had an affair with the god of the sea, Poseidon. Athena couldn't punish/curse Poseidon because he was a god and he was higher than her so she took it out on Medusa.
*I hope this helps - sorry I am a huge mythology nerd*
