Columbia, American Goddess of War

Along with representing the country itself and it's ideals Columbia is also a war goddess. In The Apotheosis of Washington in the Capitol Building she is the only non-Roman goddess featured among the attributes of America, symbolizing War and the strength with which America could protect and vanquish her enemies. While Columbia does find antecedents and contemporaries in Lady Liberty and the Roman Libertas, she also succeeds Minerva as a war goddess, with shield, sword, and Eagle companion she will mercilessly fight America's enemies and valiantly support the men in the war effort, often being used as a promotional image to call men to war, to both honor and protect our goddess.

Americans choose or create heroes in their own image.
In a complex industrial society, hero-making goes on at various levels, so that every walk of life and almost every occupation have their heroes.
Thus, on the one hand, the schoolbooks and popular literature of edification draw upon the ranks of leaders—explorers, pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, inventors, and industrialists—for patron saints and tutelary geniuses, to inspire love of country or teach the ethics of success.

On the other hand, the dime-novel concealed behind the geography book glorifies the gentlemen on horseback and the demons with the six-shooter.
Midway between these two extremes is an American fairyland of strong men and giants who perform the impossible.

- B.A. Botkin