Aerobics begins thus to create divine figure (6)
I believe the answer is:
athene
'figure' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for athene that I've seen before include "deity" , "Minerva was Roman counterpart of this goddess" , "Wise woman" , "Pallas -, Gr. goddess" , "patroness of the arts!" .)