Artemis she is the goddess of hunting, the moon, chastity, childbirth and wild animals. She is one of the most revered deities in Greek mythology and in Roman mythology she is called Diana.
Considered a fantastic hunter, Artemis was worshiped for alleviating female illnesses, protecting children and young people.
Representation of Artemis
Artemis has the bow and arrow as symbols, as she is the goddess of hunting. She was the patron saint of hunters and always punished those who acted against the animals.
Her sacred animal is the bear, although she is often portrayed holding a deer.
History
Daughter of Zeus and Leto, Artemis had a twin brother, Apollo, the god of the sun. She was born the day before Apollo and became his tutor. The task of taking care of her brother would have awakened the protective side.
Artemis asked her father, Zeus, to make her a virgin for all eternity. This condition incited the desire of gods and men, but only one, Orion, gained his attention. Artemis, however, accidentally killed him.
He suffered attempted rapes from Actaeon and Orion, which were punishable by death.
Although she was loving, she also had streaks of a vain and vindictive personality. When a wish was disobeyed, he acted angrily.
On one occasion, he killed Agamemnon, who would have injured one of his animals. In another, she punished Adonis, who claimed advantages for being a better hunter than she.
temple of artemis
Located in the ancient city of Ephesus, present-day Turkey, the Temple of Artemis (or Diana) was built in honor of the goddess of hunting.
The project was inaugurated in 550 BC. C and is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Nevertheless, it was destroyed in 356 a. Ç. by Herostratus who was intended to be remembered as the incendiary of the temple.
Read too:
- Greek mythology
- Greek gods
- greek goddesses
- Gods of Olympus
- God Apollo
