Minerva
Minerva was a member of Those Who Came Before who was also known as Merva, and Mera, and so on, before her death. She appears as a hologram within The Vault, and reveals a little of the history of humanity and her people's origins.
She explains the disaster the Earth suffered, and specifically referred to Ezio as the "prophet"; she revealed that she was not speaking with him, but through him. Minerva apparently knew that Desmond would one day relive Ezio's memories as she said "the rest is up to you Desmond", much to his ancestor's confusion.
Minerva is the Italian name for the Greek goddess Athena, meaning that the people of ancient Greek and Roman times thought Those Who Came Before were gods.
Minerva is also one of the statuettes that must be collected to place with her 'partner' Jupiter on one of the pedestals at the villa Ezio's grandfather built in Monteriggioni.
"Here sits the king of all Olympus, and beside him stands Wisdom,to guide his rule"