Minerva

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

- Minerva and Jupiter statues 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 appears as a hologram figure within The Vault, and reveals a little of the origin of humanity within her people's history.

Minerva explains 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 states the purpose of the vaults built across the planet, and the disaster that the Earth suffered. She referred to Ezio as the "prophet," and during most of her appearance, she spoke to someone Ezio could not see, thus confusing him. She then tells him that she was not speaking with him, but through him. Minerva apparently knew that Desmond would one day relive Ezio's memories, as she seemingly addresses the camera (or Desmond's perception of the scene through the Animus) throughout her monologue, and concludes by saying, "the rest is up to you... Desmond," much to his ancestor's confusion. As Ezio tries to ask Minerva who Desmond is, her hologram disappears, leaving Ezio with all of his questions unanswered.

Dialogue
After entering The Vault, and walking to the back of the chamber.

Minerva: (to Ezio) ''Greetings, prophet. It is good you have come. Let us see it. To give thanks.''

Ezio shows the Apple of Eden to Minerva, who "scans" it.

Minerva: (to Desmond) We must speak.

Ezio: Who are you?

Minerva: (to Ezio) ''Many names. When I died, it was Minerva. Before that Merva, and Mera. And on and on. The others, too: Juno, who was before called Uni; Jupiter, who was before called Tinia.''

Ezio: ''You are.. gods.''

Minerva: (laughs) ''No. Not gods. We simply came... before. Even when we walked the world, your kind struggled to understand our existence. We were more... advanced in time. Your minds were not get ready. (turns to camera/Desmond) Still not. maybe never. No matter. You may not comprehend us. But you will comprehend our warning. You must.''

Ezio: None of what you are saying makes sense.

Minerva: (to Ezio) Our words are not meant for you.

Ezio: ''What are you talking about? There is no one else here!''

Minerva: ''Enough! I do not wish to speak with you, but through you. You are the prophet. You've played your part. You anchor him, but please be silent! That we may commune.''

Minerva: (to Desmond) ''Listen. When we were still flesh, and our homes still whole, your kind betrayed us. We who made you. We who gave you life! We were strong. But you were many. And both of us craved war. So busy were we were earthly concerns, we failed to notice the heavens. And by the time we did... the world burned but naught remained but ash. It should have ended then and there. But we built you in our own image. We built you to survive. And so we did. Few were our numbers. Your kind and mind. It took sacrifice. Strength. Compassion. But we rebuilt. And as life returned to the world... We endeavored to ensure this tragedy would not be repeated.''

''But now we are dying. And time will work against us. Truth turned into myth and legend. What we build, misunderstood. Let my words preserve the message and make a record of our loss. But let my words also bring hope. You must find the other temples. Build by those who knew to turn away from war. They worked to protect us - to save us from the fire. If you can find them... If their work can be saved... so too might this world. Be quick, for time grows short. And guard against the Cross, for there are many who will stand in your way.''

''It is done. The message is delivered. We are gone from this world. All of us. We can do no more. The rest is up to you, Desmond.''

Ezio: ''What? Who is Desmond? I don't understand! Please, wait! I have so many questions!''

Minerva disappears.

Trivia

 * Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, war, art, commerce, weaving, among other things. Minerva has Etruscan roots, linking her to Menvra, another name Minerva mentions as a name she was once known by. Due to these 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".