![]() ![]() In the myth of Actaeon, when the young hunter sees her bathing naked, he is transformed into a deer by the angered goddess and is then devoured by his own hunting dogs, who do not recognize their master. In myth and literature, Artemis is presented as a hunting goddess of the woods, surrounded by her followers, who are not to be crossed. Much like Athena and Hestia, Artemis preferred to remain a maiden goddess and was sworn never to marry, so was one of the three Greek virgin goddesses, over whom the goddess of love and lust, Aphrodite, had no power whatsoever. Artemis was worshipped as one of the primary goddesses of childbirth and midwifery along with Eileithyia and Hera. Like her brother, she was a kourotrophic (child-nurturing) deity, that is the patron and protector of young children, especially young girls, and women, and was believed to both bring disease upon women and children and relieve them of it. Usually, Artemis is the twin to be born first, who then proceeds to assist Leto in the birth of the second child, Apollo. Only the island of Delos gave refuge to Leto, allowing her to give birth to her children. For this, Zeus' wife Hera forbade Leto from giving birth anywhere on land. ![]() In most accounts, the twins are the products of an extramarital liaison. In Greek tradition, Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. The goddess Diana is her Roman equivalent. She often roamed the forests of Greece, attended by her large entourage, mostly made up of nymphs, some mortals, and hunters. In later times, in some places, she was identified with Selene, the personification of the Moon. In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Artemis ( / ˈ ɑːr t ɪ m ɪ s/ Greek: Ἄρτεμις) is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. Frecco fom the house of Vettii in Pompeii Artemis pouring a libation, c. Statue of Artemis, fresco from Pompeii, 50–1 BCE Scene from sacrifice in honour of Artemis-Diana. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols. This article contains special characters.
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