Artemis : Greek Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt

Artemis was the Olympian goddess of hunting, the wilderness and wild animals. She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protectress of the girl child up to the age of marriage-her twin brother Apollo was similarly the protector of the boy child. Together the two gods were also bringers of sudden death and disease--Artemis targetted women and girls, Apollon men and boys.. No more than few days old, she helped her mother Leto give birth to her twin brother Apollo. Artemis was very protective of her and her priestesses’ innocence. Consequently, she wasn’t very nice when some of them weren’t so careful.

Artemis Portrayal and Symbolism

Artemis (Diane), the huntress. Roman copy of a Greek statue

Artemis is almost universally depicted as a young, beautiful and vigorous huntress carrying a quiver with arrows and holding a bow, typically wearing a short knee-high tunic and often accompanied by some animal (stag, doe, or hunting dogs). As a moon goddess, she is sometimes represented wearing a long robe and a crescent moon crown.

Artemis Birth and Family

Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto, herself a daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe. Angered by her husband’s infidelity, Hera hunted Leto over the whole planet and forbade her to give birth anywhere on solid earth

After arriving on the island of Delos, Leto balanced herself on an olive branch to give birth to Artemis. Upon hearing this, Hera forbade her daughter Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, from providing Leto with any more assistance. This caused Apollo's birth to be delayed by nine days. And who knows how much longer it would have taken if Artemis, as a baby, hadn't suddenly picked up the skills of midwifery and assisted Leto in giving birth to her brother.

Artemis Protecting Leto - Niobe and Tityus

A 1772 painting by Jacques-Louis David depicting Niobe attempting to shield her children from Artemis and Apollo.

Artemis and Apollo were very protective of their mother. When Niobe – a mother of six boys and six girls – boasted that while Leto gave birth to two gods, she delivered a whole Olympus, Apollo and Artemis killed all her children. Apollo took care of the male offspring and Artemis female offspring . On another occasion, Tityus tried to rape Leto. Naturally, he was killed by Apollo’s and Artemis’s arrows.

Artemis, the Vengeful Virgin Goddess

When Artemis was still a little maid, she asked from her father Zeus to keep her maidenhood forever. So – just like Athena and Hestia – she remained chaste for eternity. And she guarded this vow even more vigorously than them.

Artemis and Actaeon

Artemis and Actaeon by Titian (1556–59)

Actaeon, a skilled hunter and grandson of the god Apollo, was renowned for his prowess. One day, while chasing prey, he wandered away from his companions and stumbled upon a secluded grove. Unbeknownst to him, the goddess Artemis and her nymphs were bathing in a hidden pool within the woods.

As Actaeon approached, he caught a glimpse of the divine beauty of Artemis. Enraged at having her purity violated, Artemis splashed water on Actaeon, transforming him into a stag. His once human mind remained trapped within the beast's body.

Panic seized Actaeon as he realized his fate. He fled into the forest, his own hunting dogs recognizing his unfamiliar scent. With a blood-curdling cry, they gave chase, their instincts overriding their loyalty. Cornered and terrified, Actaeon met a tragic end, torn apart by the very hounds he once commanded. 

 Artemis and Siproites

The story of Siproites offers a parallel to the story of Actaeon, though with a little twist. Like Actaeon, Siproites was a hunter who inadvertently stumbled upon Artemis while she was bathing. However, instead of the horrific fate of Actaeon, Artemis chose a different form of punishment. Enraged at the violation of her privacy, Artemis transformed Siproites into a woman. This punishment, while severe, was arguably less cruel than Actaeon's. 

Artemis and Orion

Orion was a giant and renowned hunter, famed for his strength and skill. His beauty and prowess captured the heart of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. They shared a deep bond, hunting together and enjoying each other's company. However, their love was destined to be short-lived.

Daniel Seiter's 1685 painting of Artemis over Orion's dead body, before he is placed in the heavens

There are several versions of the this story, but the most common involves Apollo, Artemis' twin brother. Jealous of their relationship or angered by Orion's boastful claims of superiority as a hunter, Apollo devised a cruel plan. He challenged Artemis to hit a distant target, claiming it was a sea creature. unknown to Artemis, it was Orion swimming in the water. Heartbroken and filled with grief, Artemis placed Orion among the stars as the constellation Orion.

In another version, it is Gaia, the Earth goddess, who sends a giant scorpion to kill Orion due to his boastful claims of killing every creature on Earth. Regardless of the specific details, the tragic end of their love story is a central theme.

The constellations of Orion and Scorpius, the scorpion, are forever separated in the night sky, reflecting the eternal separation of the lovers.

Artemis, the Defender of Purity

Artemis didn’t only take care of her own purity; she also defended the innocence of her worshippers. And was merciless if any one of her priestesses ever lost it.

Artemis and Callisto

Artemis and Callisto, 1556–1559, by Titian

For example, after her hunting attendant Callisto gave birth to Zeus’s son Arcas, Artemis contrived with Hera to turn her into a bear. The plan was to have Arcas kill her/ However, just as that was about to happen, Zeus placed both of them into the heavens as the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

Artemis and Hippolytus

Just as she punished the transgressors of the sacred vow, Artemis rewarded those who kept it. So as to devote himself to a chaste life, Hippolytus scorned Aphrodite after which the goddess of love made his stepmother fall in love with him. This set a chain of events which led to Hippolytus’ death. However, Artemis called upon Asclepius and resurrected Hippolytus as a new man, who subsequently ruled in Italy under the name of Virbius.

Artemis and Iphigenia

In the case of Iphigenia, Artemis substituted the girl with a deer just as Iphigenia was about to be sacrificed by her father, Agamemnon. Afterward, she took Iphigenia with her in Tauris and made her a priestess of her cult.

Facts about Artemis

One common misconception about Artemis is that she was the goddess of fertility. While she did eventually become associated with childbirth, her primary roles were that of the hunt, the moon, and chastity. She was not typically invoked for matters of fertility, as there were other goddesses, such as Demeter and Aphrodite, who were more commonly associated with this aspect of life.

Artemis and Amazons

An intriguing, yet often overlooked, fact about Artemis is her association with the Amazons, a legendary tribe of warrior women. Some ancient sources suggest that Artemis was the patron goddess of these fierce fighters, providing them with strength and guidance in battle. This connection further emphasizes Artemis empowering role as a protector of women and her embodiment of female independence.

Artemis and City of Ephesus

The site of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Another little-known fact about Artemis is her connection to the ancient city of Ephesus, located in modern-day Turkey. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was a magnificent structure dedicated to her worship. This temple not only served as a place of worship, but also as a sanctuary for those seeking refuge, showcasing another aspect of Artemis protective nature.