Minerva

"Here sits the king of all Olympus, and beside him stands Wisdom, to guide his rule."

―Minerva's and Jupiter's statuette description.

Minerva, previously known as both Merva, Mera and so on, was one of the many members of Those Who Came Before.

Message in the Vault

Minerva speaking with Ezio Auditore in The Vault

Minerva appeared as a hologram figure within The Vault, and revealed little of the origin of humanity within her people's history.

Minerva explained how humans came to be, what the Pieces of Eden were for, and why her people no longer control the humans, or even exist at all. She stated the purpose of the vaults built across the planet, and explained of the disaster that Earth once suffered. She referred to Ezio Auditore as the "prophet," and during most of her appearance, she spoke to someone Ezio could not see, thus confusing him. She then clarified that she was not speaking with him, but through him.

Minerva apparently knew that Desmond Miles would one day relive Ezio's memories, as she seemingly addressed the camera (or Desmond's perception of the scene through the Animus) throughout her monologue, and concluded by saying, "the rest is up to you... Desmond," much to his ancestor's confusion. As Ezio tried ese roots, it can be safely assumed that the Greek goddess Athena also came from Minerva's influence.

• Minerva is also one of the statuettes that must be collected and placed on a pedestal with her "partner" Jupiter, at the Auditore Villa.
• Minerva's knowledge of Desmond reliving Ezio's memories implies Those Who Came Before could see the future.
• Minerva's name root (Proto-Indo-European mn- and Latin men-) links her to memory, remembrance, or recollection, which is what her role is in the game (in helping the Assassins, or humanity, remember their past). This parallels Juno's role in her name, which means "to warn."
• Minerva, of the Roman mythology, equates with the Greek goddess Athena.