Greek+Goddess+Artemis

Hunting by the Light of the Moon
by Kira The Greek goddess Artemis played a very important role in Greek mythology. She stood for what she believed in, and protected what she cared about. Artemis represented all of the different aspects of a woman.

One of the Olympian goddesses was Artemis. The Olympians consisted of the Greek’s greatest gods and goddesses. It was their job to look at life differently than others. Artemis was considered the goddess of many different things. She was known as the goddess of the hunt, childbirth, wildlife, animals, forests, and the moon. She had many symbols that represented her. Some of important symbols were bows, arrows, hounds,  clouds, stones, broken stones, her bow, her dropped arrow, smoke, and the dove. The bows, arrows and hounds represented how fast she supported the helpless if they needed it. The clouds symbolize protection for all of the living. Stones represent the bones of Mother Earth; where as broken stones symbolize death. Her personal bow had female and male perspectives to it. It represented hope because of the direction the bow points. Her own dropped arrow symbolizes thought, understanding, and reflection. Smoke represents the escape into eternal time and space. And finally, the dove is very sacred. It represents the peacefulness when someone breathes their last breath. (Athena)

The Greek goddess, Artemis, was the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Apollo was her twin brother. It was said that Artemis was a day older than her twin, and that she helped Leto give birth to Apollo. This was how people knew that Artemis was also a goddess of childbirth. Artemis and her twin brother were very close, and they often got jealous if the other was giving attention or showing affection to someone else. Even though they were close and looked out for each other, it did not mean that their power together was used for good intentions. When Artemis and Apollo were with each other, they were called the “bringers of sudden death and disease”. (Atsma) Death and disease is what they brought to people when they were together. What is ironic was Artemis being the protector goddess of women and young girls, but she only brought death and disease to females when she was with her twin. Plus, Apollo was said to be the protector god of men and young boys, and yet he only aimed for the males with death and destruction when he and his sister were inseparable. (Atsma)

Hidden from light on the island of Ortygia, Artemis was born. She is one of the most ancient Greek goddesses. After her birth, she saw her mother in pain, and helped her over to the island of Delos, where Leto gave birth to Artemis’ twin, Apollo. Artemis never had anything to do with poetry or music, unlike her twin. For her, it was the hunt that excited her. Zeus met his daughter when she was only three. He was amazed by his little goddess, so he granted anything she wanted. She wished for eternal virginity, a bow and arrow like the one her twin had, the office of bringing light, an outfit, nymphs, all the mountains in the world, and one city that Zeus would eventually choose for her. After that, she was almost always seen in the mountains hunting. Sometime later in Artemis’ life, she stopped being a midwife and just protected those who were giving birth. (Leadbetter)

There are many myths about Artemis. One is about Artemis killing the hunter Aktaion. He spotted Artemis bathing, and he could not stop staring. Artemis saw him gaping and turned him into a stag. She convinced his hounds that he was a deer. His hounds then tore him apart. Another myth is when Artemis placed Orion amongst the stars. Orion was Artemis’ favorite hunting companion. He foolishly told Artemis that he would slay all the beasts of the Earth. The Earth, also known as Gaia, sent a scorpion to bring Orion to his death. The scorpion did the job, and killed Orion. When Artemis found out, she was so sad, that she placed him to rest in the sky with the stars. Another version is that Apollo was jealous of the relationship between Orion and Artemis. He tricked his twin into shooting Orion while he was swimming in the sea. Once his body reached land, Artemis was so stricken because she realized that she shot the man she wanted to marry, Orion. She then placed him with the stars. ("Artemis")

 Artemis was honored differently than other gods and goddesses. Sometimes she was respected as the moon goddess. Other times she was respected as //the// huntress. People built temples for her. The first shrine created for Artemis was around 800 B.C. She was adored all over Greece, but her most well known parties were Sparta, Mounikhia, and Brauron. Festivals were thrown for her. Deer skin hides, sacrificed animals, and other items that were sacred to Artemis, were provided as offerings for her. (Atsma)

Artemis is an inspiration to all women. She stood strongly for who she was, and was not afraid to speak up. Her tales can encourage women to be who they truly are, and her stories can help women face the world with a new strength and courage. Mistakes and imperfections were wound into Artemis, no matter how large her pride was. Life needs balance, and it is not perfect. If it was, then there would no problems in this world. The Greek goddess, Artemis represented that balance.

Works Cited: "Artemis." __ Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition __ (2009): 1. //MAS Ultra - School Edition//. EBSCO. Web. 09 Dec. 2009. Atsma, Aaron. “Artemis.” __Theoi Greek Mythology.__ 2000-2007. Theoi Project. 11 Dec. 2009. <[]>. Athena, Ailia. “Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt.” __Women in Greek Myths__. 1996. Unknown. 11 Dec. 2009.  Leadbetter, Ron. "Artemis." __Encyclopedia Mythica__. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. 11 Dec. 2009. <[]>. "The HUNTRESS." __ Calliope __ 18.10 (2008): 24. //MAS Ultra - School Edition//. EBSCO. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. Watson, Fred "Heavenly sisters." __ Australian Geographic 80__ (2005): 23. //MAS Ultra - School Edition//. EBSCO. Web. 05 Dec. 2009.