ARTEMIS is the Greek Goddess of the hunt, forests, and childbirth. While she herself was a virgin Goddess, Artemis was closely associated with the birth process from a very young age--immediately after she was born, she assisted her mother Leto, Goddess of motherhood, in the birth of her twin brother, Apollo. The births were painless for Leto, and thereafter Artemis was called on by women in labor to ease their pain. She also watched over infants, both human and animal, until they were weaned. She then became the protector of female children, as Apollo was the protector of male children. In an apparent contradiction, it was also Artemis who brought sudden death to infants, girls, and women, just as Apollo did the same with boys and men, and while she protected infant animals, she was also the Goddess of hunting.
As a young girl, Artemis asked her father Zeus to grant her several wishes: that she could remain a virgin forever; that she have more names than her brother, Apollo (see her epithets below); that she could carry a bow and arrows; that she be attended by nymphs; that she should rule over the mountains; and that she have hounds to hunt with and deer to pull her chariot. Zeus granted all of her wishes, and also gave her dominion over harbors. Other areas of life that came to be ruled by Artemis include the dawn, frost, virginity, healing, the Amazons, and rabies.
Artemis was known for having quite a temper, and for guarding those she loved with great zeal. When Queen Niobe boasted that she was a better mother than Artemis and Apollo's mother Leto because she had seven times as many children, the twins shot down all of her children with their arrows. Aktaion, a hunter, was unfortunate enough to happen on Artemis while she was bathing. She turned him into a stag and caused his hounds to turn on and eat him.
Artemis was later seen as part of a trinity with Selene, Goddess of the moon, and Hekate, Goddess of magic. This may be due to the introduction to Greece of the Thracian Goddess Bendis, who ruled over wild animals, the moon, and magic. She was also identified with various Goddess from other parts of the world, including the Egyptian Bast and the Phrygian Kybele. It is through her identification with this last Goddess that the most famous temple to Artemis, the temple at Ephesus, came to be built. The statue, Lady of Ephesus, often identified as Artemis, is more likely to be a depiction of Kybele. The objects hanging around her neck have long been thought to be breasts or even bull testes, but they have recently been identified as representing amber beads.
Artemis' name means "uninjured" or "healthy," and since she is one of the oldest known and most widely worshipped of the Greek Goddesses, she had many epithets associated with her. Some were commonly used; others were used only in particular areas. In general, the epithets refer to her rule over animals or childbirth:
ARTEMIS ADMETUS (untamed)
ARTEMIS AEGENETES (immortal)
ARTEMIS AEGINA (wielder of the javelin)
ARTEMIS AETOLE (the stormy one)
ARTEMIS AGLAUROS (from the heroine Aglauros)
ARTEMIS AGORAEA (of the market place)
ARTEMIS AGRAEA (of uncultivated land)
ARTEMIS AGROLETERA (who wastes the land)
ARTEMIS AGROTERA (of the hunt)
ARTEMIS AGUIEOS (leader on the path)
ARTEMIS AIGEIRA (from the town of Aigeira)
ARTEMIS AITHIOPIA (dark-faced)
ARTEMIS AKALANTHIS (goldfinch)
ARTEMIS AKONTISTERA (hurler of javelins)
ARTEMIS AKONTIXO (hits with a javelin)
ARTEMIS AKRAEA (of the hills)
ARTEMIS ALEXETEIRA (champion)
ARTEMIS ALEXIARES (who keeps off a curse)
ARTEMIS ALEXIBELEMNOS (who keeps off arrows)
ARTEMIS ALEXIMBROTOS (who protects mortals)
ARTEMIS ALPHEAEA (from the river God Alpheius)
ARTEMIS ALPHEOSIA (from the river God Alpheius)
ARTEMIS ALPHEUSA (from the river God Alpheius)
ARTEMIS AMARYNTHIA (unwithering)
ARTEMIS AMARYSIA (who brings rain to the channels)
ARTEMIS AMBULIA (who delays death)
ARTEMIS AMEILIKHAS (relentless)
ARTEMIS AMNIUS (protecting before birth)
ARTEMIS AMPHIKTYONIS (who dwells nearby)
ARTEMIS AMPHIPYROS (holding a torch in each hand)
ARTEMIS ANAETIS (similar to Anat)
ARTEMIS ANAXOPHORMIGE (queen of the lyre)
ARTEMIS ANGELOS (messenger)
ARTEMIS APANKHOMENE (the strangled)
ARTEMIS APATUROS (guardian of secrets)
ARTEMIS APHAEA (vanisher)
ARTEMIS APHESIA (releaser)
ARTEMIS APHETURA (archer)
ARTEMIS APOBATERIOS (protector of those who disembark)
ARTEMIS APTERA (wingless)
ARTEMIS AREIA (warlike)
ARTEMIS ARGELOS (hard)
ARTEMIS ARGENNIS (of the difficult birth)
ARTEMIS ARIA (of the oaks)
ARTEMIS ARIKINA (from the town of Aricia)
ARTEMIS ARISTA (the best)
ARTEMIS ARISTOBOULIA (the best counsellor)
ARTEMIS ARISTOBULE (the best adviser)
ARTEMIS ARKADIA (mountainous)
ARTEMIS ARKTOKHEIRA (who has bear paws for hands)
ARTEMIS ARTIO (bearlike)
ARTEMIS ASIA (of the lyre)
ARTEMIS ASTATEIA (who stayed the advance)
ARTEMIS ASTIAS (leaving no sign)
ARTEMIS ASTRATEIA (of the host of stars)
ARTEMIS ASTYNOME (possessor of the city)
ARTEMIS ASTYOKHE (possessor of the city)
ARTEMIS ASTYRENE (from the town of Astyra)
ARTEMIS ASULOS (who protects from marriage)
ARTEMIS BASILEIS (princess)
ARTEMIS BEREKYNTHIA (bringer of wisdom)
ARTEMIS BLAGANITIS (of the frogs)
ARTEMIS BOULAEA (counsellor)
ARTEMIS BOULEPHOROS (bringer of advice)
ARTEMIS BOUSBATOS (powerful as a bull)
ARTEMIS BRAURONIA (from the town of Brauron)
ARTEMIS BRITOMARTIS (good maiden)
ARTEMIS DAMNOYONE (who tames)
ARTEMIS DAPHNAEA (of the laurel)
ARTEMIS DELIA (the brilliant)
ARTEMIS DELPHINIA (of the womb)
ARTEMIS DEREATIS (from the town of Dereion)
ARTEMIS DERRHIATIS (wearing leather armor)
ARTEMIS DESPOENA (mistress)
ARTEMIS DIKTYNNA (of the hunting nets)
ARTEMIS DRENEIA (holy one)
ARTEMIS DRUMENIOS (haunting the woods)
ARTEMIS DYNATERA (all powerful)
ARTEMIS EIDOTHEA (divinely shaped)
ARTEMIS EILEITHYIA (who brings relief in labor)
ARTEMIS EKBATERIA (who provides a means of climbing out)
ARTEMIS ELAPHEAEA (of the deer)
ARTEMIS ELAPHEBOLIA (deer shooting)
ARTEMIS ELAPHIOS (deerlike)
ARTEMIS ELASIPPOS (horse driving)
ARTEMIS ELATEIRA (driver of horses)
ARTEMIS ELEUSINIOS (of the place of coming)
ARTEMIS ELEUTHERA (mother of the bear)
ARTEMIS ELEUTHO (liberator)
ARTEMIS EMMENAOS (the measurer)
ARTEMIS ENDENDROS (of the trees)
ARTEMIS ENDIAGROS (living in a cavernous place)
ARTEMIS ENNODIA (gatekeeper)
ARTEMIS EPAULIOS (camping outdoors)
ARTEMIS EPHESIA (from the town of Ephesos)
ARTEMIS EPIMELIDIOS (who protects the sheep)
ARTEMIS EPIMYLIDOS (of the mill)
ARTEMIS EPOIKHOMAI (who visits with death)
ARTEMIS ERITHOS (day laborer)
ARTEMIS EUKLEIA (of good repute)
ARTEMIS EULINOS (good spinner)
ARTEMIS EULOKHIA (who aids in childbirth)
ARTEMIS EUONUMOS (protector of women in childbirth)
ARTEMIS EUPLOEA (who brings good weather)
ARTEMIS EUPLOKAMES (with beautiful locks)
ARTEMIS EUPRAXIA (of great deeds)
ARTEMIS EUPYLIOS (of the gate)
ARTEMIS EURYNOME (of the broad pastures)
ARTEMIS EUSKOPOS (keen sighted)
ARTEMIS EUSTEPHANUS (well-girdled)
ARTEMIS GAEEOKHUS (holder of the earth)
ARTEMIS GAMELII (presiding over marriage)
ARTEMIS GENETAIRA (who aids in childbirth)
ARTEMIS GENETYLLIS (protectress of births)
ARTEMIS GEOMETRES (measuring land)
ARTEMIS GORGOPIS (the face of death)
ARTEMIS HAGNE (chaste)
ARTEMIS HEKAERGE (hitting at a distance)
ARTEMIS HEKATEBOLUS (far shooting)
ARTEMIS HEGEMONE (the leader of the dance)
ARTEMIS HELEIA (of the marsh)
ARTEMIS HELLOPHONOS (fawn slaying)
ARTEMIS HEMERA (of the evening)
ARTEMIS HEMERESIA (the soothing)
ARTEMIS HEMIHIPPOS (half horse)
ARTEMIS HEMIKYNOS (half dog)
ARTEMIS HEURIPPE (the finder of horses)
ARTEMIS HIEREIA (priestess)
ARTEMIS HIPPOLAITIS (horse priestess)
ARTEMIS HIPPOSOA (driving horses)
ARTEMIS HYAKINTHROPUS (nurse of the flower priestesses)
ARTEMIS HYLEBATIDOS (who haunts the wood)
ARTEMIS HYMNIA (of the hymns)
ARTEMIS IASORIA (healer)
ARTEMIS IMBRAIA (from the river Imbrasus)
ARTEMIS IOKHEAIRA (of the showering arrows)
ARTEMIS IOLKIA (from the town of Iolcus)
ARTEMIS IPHIANASSA (strength of the people)
ARTEMIS IPHIGENEA (from the heroine Iphigeneia)
ARTEMIS ISSORIA (from Mount Issorion)
ARTEMIS ISTRIA (of the river Ister)
ARTEMIS KALKAEA (the wearer of high boots)
ARTEMIS KALLISTE (the fairest)
ARTEMIS KAPROPHONOS (killer of wild boars)
ARTEMIS KARYA (of the walnut tree)
ARTEMIS KARYATIS (of the walnut tree)
ARTEMIS KATAGOGIS (leading to the underworld)
ARTEMIS KAUKASIS (burning sister)
ARTEMIS KEDREATIS (keeper of the oil of the coast)
ARTEMIS KEDRINOS (of the cedars)
ARTEMIS KELADEINA (strong-voiced)
ARTEMIS KELADODROMOS (running amid the sounds of the hunt)
ARTEMIS KHITONE (with her clothing tied back)
ARTEMIS KHRYSAOR (of the golden sword)
ARTEMIS KHRYSELAKATUS (of the golden shafts)
ARTEMIS KHRYSENIUS (of the golden reins)
ARTEMIS KHRYSOTHRONUS (of the golden throne)
ARTEMIS KINDYAS (from the town of Kindye)
ARTEMIS KLEITO (the invoked)
ARTEMIS KNAKEATIS (one who works with the carpenter's ax)
ARTEMIS KNAKALESIA (of Mount Knakalos)
ARTEMIS KNAGIA (burning one)
ARTEMIS KOLAENIS (punisher)
ARTEMIS KONDYLEATES (bare-fisted)
ARTEMIS KORDAEA (of the rope dance)
ARTEMIS KORYPHAEA (of the peak)
ARTEMIS KORYPHASIA (light maiden)
ARTEMIS KORYTHALEIA (festive maiden)
ARTEMIS KUDROS (most esteemed)
ARTEMIS KUROTROPHOS (accomplished nurse)
ARTEMIS KYNAGETIS (hunter)
ARTEMIS KYNAGON (leader of the dogs)
ARTEMIS KYNTHIA (from Mount Kynthus)
ARTEMIS KYPHARISSA (queen of the cypress)
ARTEMIS KYTHEREA (the hidden one)
ARTEMIS LAKONE (of the lake)
ARTEMIS LAPHRIA (despoiling)
ARTEMIS LATHRIOS (who works in secret)
ARTEMIS LATOEA (daughter of Leto)
ARTEMIS LATONE (harsh and stony one)
ARTEMIS LEMNOS (of the earth)
ARTEMIS LEON (the lion)
ARTEMIS LETOGENEIA (daughter of Leto)
ARTEMIS LEUKIONE (gleaming white)
ARTEMIS LEUKOPHRYNE (white toad)
ARTEMIS LEUKOPHRYS (white browed)
ARTEMIS LIMENIA (protectress of the harbor)
ARTEMIS LIMNAEA (born in a lake or marsh)
ARTEMIS LIMNATIDES (born in a lake or marsh)
ARTEMIS LIMNATIS (born in a lake or marsh)
ARTEMIS LOKHEIA (of the blood of childbirth)
ARTEMIS LOXO (ambiguous)
ARTEMIS LYGODESMA (surrounded by willows)
ARTEMIS LYKAENA (she-wolf)
ARTEMIS LYKAEUS (wolfish)
ARTEMIS LYKOATIS (winnower of the coast)
ARTEMIS LYKOMEDA (cunning like a wolf)
ARTEMIS LYKOTHARSES (bold as a wolf)
ARTEMIS LYSIZONA (who loosens the girdle)
ARTEMIS MEGALE (great)
ARTEMIS MELEAGRIA (wild dark one)
ARTEMIS MELISSA (honey bee)
ARTEMIS MESOPOLITIS (inside the city wall)
ARTEMIS METAPONTINA (guide at life's changes)
ARTEMIS MOGOSTOKIA (helping with birth pains)
ARTEMIS MOLPADIA (death song)
ARTEMIS MONOGISENE (unparalleled)
ARTEMIS MUNYKHIA (from the town of Mounykhia)
ARTEMIS MYRINE (swiftly bounding)
ARTEMIS MYSIA (from the region of Mysia)
ARTEMIS NELEUS (relentless)
ARTEMIS NEPTUNIS (of the sea)
ARTEMIS NIKEPHOROS (bringing victory)
ARTEMIS NIKTIPHOITOS (night roaming)
ARTEMIS OENOATIS (from the town of Oenoe)
ARTEMIS OPHELTES (wound round with snakes)
ARTEMIS OPIS (silent)
ARTEMIS OPITAIS (who brings up the rear)
ARTEMIS ORAIA (protects infants in the womb)
ARTEMIS ORSILOKHIA (helper of childbirth)
ARTEMIS ORTHIA (from Mount Orthium)
ARTEMIS ORTHOSIA (upright)
ARTEMIS ORTYGIA (from the island of Ortygia, the ancient name of Delos)
ARTEMIS OULIOS (deadly)
ARTEMIS PAEDOTROPHUS (nurse of children)
ARTEMIS PAEONIA (healer)
ARTEMIS PAMPHYLAIA (provider)
ARTEMIS PANAGHIA ARKOUSDIOTISSA (holy Goddess of all the bears)
ARTEMIS PARALIA (of the sea coast)
ARTEMIS PARTHENIA (the maiden)
ARTEMIS PASIKRATEIA (famous strong one)
ARTEMIS PATROEA (of the fathers)
ARTEMIS PEITHEROS (persuader of animals)
ARTEMIS PEITHO (persuasive)
ARTEMIS PERGAEA (from the town of Perge)
ARTEMIS PHERAEA (of the beasts)
ARTEMIS PHILOMEIRAX (friend of young girls)
ARTEMIS PHOEBE (bright one)
ARTEMIS PHOSPHOROS (light bringer)
ARTEMIS PHTHIA (the waning moon)
ARTEMIS PITANATIS (from the town of Pitana)
ARTEMIS POLO (foal)
ARTEMIS POLYMASTIS (many breasted)
ARTEMIS POLYTHEROS (of many beasts)
ARTEMIS POTAMIA (of the rivers)
ARTEMIS POTAMENE (strength of the river)
ARTEMIS POTNIA THERON (lady of the beasts)
ARTEMIS PROGONEIA (ancestral one)
ARTEMIS PROKATHEGEMON (pioneer)
ARTEMIS PROPYLAEA (of the gate)
ARTEMIS PROSEOA (facing the dawn)
ARTEMIS PROSTATERIA (who stands before)
ARTEMIS PROTHURAEA (who is before the door)
ARTEMIS PROTOTHRONIA (of the first throne)
ARTEMIS PYRONIA (of the fire)
ARTEMIS PYTHIA (serpent)
ARTEMIS RHOKKAEA (from the town of Rhokkha)
ARTEMIS SARONIA (of the old hollow oak)
ARTEMIS SARPEDONIA (from Cape Sarpedon)
ARTEMIS SELASIA (from the town of Selasia)
ARTEMIS SELASPHOROS (light bringer)
ARTEMIS SKIADITIS (maker of shadows)
ARTEMIS SKIATIS (of the shadows)
ARTEMIS SKIRIS (of the shadows)
ARTEMIS SKULAKITIS (protector of dogs)
ARTEMIS SKYTHIA (from the region of Skythia)
ARTEMIS SOODINA (saving during labor)
ARTEMIS SOTEIRA (the savior)
ARTEMIS STYMPHALIA (of Lake Stymphalos)
ARTEMIS TAINARIOS (of the strip of land)
ARTEMIS TAURIKA (of the bulls)
ARTEMIS TAURIONE (to whom bulls are sacrificed)
ARTEMIS TAUROPOLOS (slayer of bulls)
ARTEMIS TAUROPOS (riding on bulls)
ARTEMIS TEKTONE (the carpenter)
ARTEMIS THARSENIKE (who is confident of victory)
ARTEMIS THEKLA (the famous)
ARTEMIS THEMISTO (oracular)
ARTEMIS THERMAIA (healing fever)
ARTEMIS THEROKTONOS (killer of wild beasts)
ARTEMIS THEROSKOPOS (hunter of wild beasts)
ARTEMIS THOANTEA (from King Thoas of Tauris)
ARTEMIS THROSIA (who is murmuring)
ARTEMIS TOXOPHOREO (bearer of the bow)
ARTEMIS TOXOTIS (archer)
ARTEMIS TRIDERIA (of three lots)
ARTEMIS TRIKLARIA (of three couches)
ARTEMIS TRIVIA (of three ways)
ARTEMIS UPIS (watcher)
ARTEMIS XENA (stranger)
ARTEMIS ZEA (from the harbor of Zea)
Keywords: celtic goddesses nemesis bearer justice descent goddess goddess cymidei goddess andal ometecuhlti omecihuatl further solitary practitioner love person holidays which anger spells free voodoo spell witchs magic southern
This entry was posted
on 3 February 2008
at Sunday, February 03, 2008
. You can follow any responses to this entry through the
.
