Artemis: goddess of the hunt in Greek mythology

Who was the Greek goddess Artemis

Artemis was the goddess of hunting, nature and wild animals, which is why it was highly revered in the ancient world. She was part of the Olympian pantheon, since she was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and twin sister of the god Apollo.

In sculpture and painting she was represented with bow and arrows. Furthermore, she usually appeared accompanied by deer, or her hunting dogs. It is said that she had an indomitable character, was brave and independent, and preferred to live in the forests and fields.

Artemis (or Artemis, as she was also called) was followed by her servant nymphs, who, like her, had promised to maintain chastity. The goddess never married. She preserved her virginity and was protective of other maidens.

He has always personified the ideals of wildlife. Already in Homer’s stories, the poet mentioned her as: “Hunting Artemis, mistress of beasts.”

Numerous temples were erected in his honor in the regions of Attica, the Peloponnese, the islands of the Aegean Sea and in Ionia. The most important of these was the Temple of Artemis in Ephesusconsidered one of the 7 wonders of Antiquitywhere rituals were carried out with theatrical performances and animal sacrifices.

Another ceremony in tribute to the goddess was the Brauronia, in which young women dressed as bears and danced. Then, during the Hellenistic period (3rd century BC-1st century BC), Artemis also began to be linked to the protection of mothers during childbirth. In Roman times, she was identified with the goddess Diana.

16th century drawing by Francesco Primaticcio. It shows Artemis resting in the forest with her hunting dogs, deer, and wild boar.

Stories of Artemis in Greek mythology

The narratives of the classical world referred to Artemis as the goddess who used to hunt in Arcadia, a mountainous area of ​​the Peloponnese region. She had great aim, was fast and chased deer and other prey. However, she cared for unprotected puppies and babies.

Below are some of the mythological stories in which Artemis takes part.

The birth of Artemis and Apollo

Artemis and Apollo were children of Leto, who was the lover of Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods. According to one of the most widespread versions, Leto’s pregnancy caused the fury of the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus.

For this reason, Hera was hostile and warned all the inhabitants of Earth that they should not shelter Leto, nor let her give birth in any place illuminated by sunlight. Despite this, the island of Delos ignored him and decided to give him refuge.

Before arriving at Delos, Leto gave birth to Artemis on the island of Ogygia. But Apollo’s birth was more complicated and caused him a lot of pain. Artemis assisted her mother and helped her so that Apollo could be born. It was like this midwife to her own brotherwith whom he always had a very close relationship.

Artemis and Actaeon

Actaeon had learned the art of hunting from the centaur Chiron. For this reason, he was also a famous hunter. In the famous story that links him to Artemis, Actaeon made a big mistake, for which he was punished.

One day, while he was in the forest, Actaeon approached a spring in which the goddess Artemis and some of her nymphs were bathing naked. Actaeon observed the goddess, amazed by her beauty, but was discovered.

Filled with anger, Artemis resolved to punish him. She turned him into a deer and he was chased by his own dogs, who hunted him down and devoured him. This story lets us see that the goddess had a protective personality, but also vengeful when she felt disrespected.

Artemis and the sacrifice of Iphigenia

Francesco Fontebasso (18th century) The Sacrifice of Iphigenia. The painting represents the moment in which Artemis intervenes to save Iphigenia from death.

Iphigenia was the daughter of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. This king fell out of favor with the goddess Artemis, as he killed one of her sacred deer while preparations were being made for the attack on the city of Troy.

As punishment for this offense, the goddess stopped the winds necessary for Agamemnon’s fleet to move on the sea. Then, the seer Calchas revealed to him that the only way to obtain favorable winds would be to please Artemis by sacrificing her daughter Iphigenia.

Agamemnon deceived Iphigenia and sent for her in the camp where she was, sending her the message that the time had come to marry the warrior Achilles. Iphigenia headed to the camp of the Achaean Greeks with enthusiasm, but once there, she realized that she was going to be sacrificed.

Although she accepted her fate, just before being sacrificed, Artemis felt pity. The goddess exchanged Iphigenia for a deer for sacrifice, and she took Agamemnon’s daughter to Taurica, the region where the Crimean Peninsula now lies. There Iphigenia became priestess of one of the temples built in honor of Artemis.

Artemis and Orion

The legends about the friendship of Artemis and Orion have many versions that varied over time. What is most reiterated in these is that Orion was the only male hunting companion that the goddess had.

According to one of the best-known versions, Orion became arrogant and provoked the wrath of some gods who did not tolerate his boasts. The goddess Gaia created a giant scorpion to go after him and kill him. The sting of the scorpion ended his life.

Faced with this death, Artemis told her father to give Orion a place in the constellations. From that moment on, the constellation of Scorpio appears when Orion begins to set.

Another version gives a very different story. In this, Orion is captivated by Opis, one of the virgin followers of Artemis. When Artemis learned that Orion had crossed Opis, she decided to kill him. She shot him one of her well-aimed arrows and killed him.

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Bibliography

Buxton, Richard (2004) The Complete World of Greek Mythology. Thames & Hudson.

Hard, Robin. (2008). The great book of Greek mythology. The sphere of books.