Artemis: The goddess of the hunt, the moon, protector of small children and animals Column, 25cm alabaster column

Artemis (Greek: Άρτεμις)

Is the Greek goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, the Moon, and chastity. Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. Various conflicting accounts are given in Classical Greek mythology regarding the birth of Artemis and Apollo, her twin brother. In some sources, she is born at the same time as Apollo, in others, earlier or later. She was the patron and protector of young children and women, and was believed to both bring disease upon women and children and relieve them of it. Artemis was worshipped as one of the primary goddesses of childbirth and midwifery along with Eileithyia. Much like Athena and Hestia, Artemis preferred to remain a maiden and was sworn never to marry. Artemis was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities, and her temple at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Artemis symbols included a bow and arrow, a quiver, and hunting knives, and the deer and the cypress were sacred to her. In Greek classical art she is usually shown in the shooting pose and portrayed as a maiden huntress, young, tall, and slim, clothed in a girls short skirt, with hunting boots, a quiver, a golden or silver bow and arrows.

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