About the Goddess of the Moon Artemis
Throughout history many gods and goddesses have been worshiped in various cultures around the world. These deities were often known by many names and attributes. Although they often spanned many cultures similarities remained in both attributes and myth. This is true of most gods and goddesses and their culture counterparts, as we will see in the depiction and tales of Artemis.
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Identification
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According to Greek mythology Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Zeus was well known for lusting after other goddesses and mortal women alike. His union with Leto made his wife Hera furious as usual, and she forbade there be any refuge for Leto who roamed in search of place to give birth. She finally gave birth to her daughter Artemis on the island of Delos. Almost immediately after her birth, Artemis became the first midwife by attending to her mother as she painfully struggled to give birth to her son Apollo.
History of
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In Greek mythology, Artemis is one of the pantheon of gods and goddesses that made their home on Mount Olympus, but Artemis preferred to roam the forests. She was a virgin goddess most recognizably depicted armed with her bow and arrows and the symbol of a crescent moon worn upon her head. Artemis was goddess of the wilderness, wild animals and the hunt.
Function
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Artemis was also the goddess of fertility and childbirth. She was the protectress of children and women. Artemis was also known to protect both animals and mortal women who were with child. Hunters who dared kill a pregnant, nursing or young animal would no doubt suffer the wrath of Artemis.
Features
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Artemis was a virgin goddess who enjoyed the companionship of her nymphs. Artemis didn't hesitate to use her bow and arrows to strike down any male who threatened her virginity. As with all gods and goddesses there are several myths associated with Artemis. One such myth tells that Artemis killed the hunter Orion with her arrows when he attempted to rape her. There are actually several variations of this myth. One version of the myth states that Orion boasted of killing all the wild animals and so Artemis had him killed by a scorpion. In yet another version of the story Artemis fell in love with the hunter Orion. Her twin brother Apollo was not happy with the union and the amount of time his sister was spending with the hunter, so he devised a plan to separate them. As Orion was swimming out far at sea, Apollo challenged his sister to hit the target with her arrow. Artemis did not know the target was her love, Orion, but Apollo knew very well that she would accept the challenge and that her arrow would not miss. Artemis unwittingly shot Orion in the head, killing him. Devastated, she placed him in the sky as the constellation.
Significance
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Another myth associated with Artemis tells of a young hunter named Actaeon who stumbled upon Artemis as she was bathing with her nymphs. Seeing her naked, the young hunter stood staring in awe. Noticing him, Artemis splashed Actaeon with water, turning him into a stag. He was then torn to shreds by his own hunting dogs.
Evolution
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Artemis could be described as a free-spirited goddess. Her very nature was defined by a feminine yet strong-willed independence. Artemis has been identified with the moon goddess Selene, and she was known to the Romans as the goddess Diana. Although Artemis was considered a minor deity, she was a respected goddess with many followers of both genders.
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