Artemis

Diana

Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses for Kids - Artemis
The myths and legends surrounding Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt

Artemis for kids
Discover the legends and myths surrounding Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt and the moon, she was known as the Virgin goddess. As soon as the young goddess was introduced in Olympus, all of the gods expressed a wish to marry her. But Artemis refused to listen to their entreaties and begged her father’s permission (Zeus) to remain single all her life.

Artemis pleaded her cause so well, that Zeus was forced to grant her request. Additional interesting facts and information about the mythology and legends of individual gods and goddesses of these ancient civilizations can be accessed via the following links:

Gods and Deities

Greek Gods and Goddesses

Statue of Artemis

 

 

Artemis (Roman Counterpart was Diana)
When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC, the Romans assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek gods and goddesses, such as Artemis, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart of Artemis was Diana. She is also known as Cynthia, Phoebe and Selene.

Artemis and Eros

Picture of the Goddess Artemis and the god Eros

Facts about Artemis
The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Artemis:

Artemis Profile & Fact File
Personality: Independent, loved sports and the hunt

Appearance: Athletic, attractive usually wore a knee length tunic called a chiton

Role & Function: The function of Artemis is described as being the goddess of the hunt, archery, animals and the moon

Status: A Major goddess and one of the Twelve Olympians

Symbols: Bow and Arrow, deer, hounds, bears, snakes, the moon and the cypress tree

Gender: Female

Roman Counterpart: The Roman name for this goddess was Diana

Name of Husband: Unmarried - Artemis was known as the virgin goddess

Name of Father: Zeus

Name of Mother: Leto. Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo

Names of Children: None

The Family of Artemis
According to Greek legends and myths the family of Artemis were as follows:

  • Father: Zeus
  • Mother: Leto
  • Brothers: Apollo
  • Artemis was unmarried

Artemis and Mount Olympus
In Greek Mythology the principle Greek gods, that included Artemis, were referred to as the Twelve Olympians and lived on the summit of Mount Olympus which was protected by a special layer of clouds. The gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus attended sumptuous banquets in the council-chamber of the gods and feasted on ambrosia (the food of the gods) and nectar (the drink of the gods). The names of the other Olympian gods were Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hestia or Dionysus, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Demeter, Hephaestus and Hermes.

The Greek Gods Family Tree and Genealogy
The genealogy of these ancient deities can be established via the Greek gods family tree which also provides an overview of the relationship of Artemis to the other Greek gods and deities.The Greek gods family tree and genealogy provides an overview of her relationship to the other Greek gods and deities.

Greek Gods Family Tree & Genealogy

The Symbols of Artemis
In the sculptures, vases, mosaics and paintings of Greek Art the goddess Artemis was often illustrated with images representing her symbols - the bow and arrow, deer, hounds, bears, snakes, the moon and the cypress tree.The symbols of Artemis were:

  • The Bow and Arrow
    • These symbols reflect her love of hunting and her position of Goddess of the hunt
  • The Moon
    • The symbol of the moon is because every evening she mounted her moon chariot, and drove her pure white horses across the heavens
  • Deer, hounds, bears, snakes
    • The symbol of the deer, hounds, bears, snakes were the animals that were sacred to the goddess. The deer relates to the myth about the Ceryneian hind
  • The Cypress Tree
    • The symbol of the cypress tree .has traditionally represented mourning and grief. This symbol relates to Artemis because although associated with healing she could also bring terrible diseases.

Statue of the Goddess Artemis

Picture of a Statue of the Goddess Artemis

Facts about Artemis in Greek Mythology
Discover interesting information and facts about Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt featured in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology. The facts about Artemis provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Artemis in Greek Mythology.

Artemis and the Satyrs

Picture of the Goddess Artemis and the Satyrs

Artemis in Mythology and Legend
The Ceryneian hind: In Greek mythology and legends, the Ceryneian hind was a deer that was sacred to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Her chariot was made of gold and was pulled by four golden horned deer. The fifth deer, known as the Kerynitian Hind, roamed free. The Ceryneian hind performed other tasks for her. The Ceryneian hind was briefly kidnapped by Heracles (Hercules) as part of his 12 labors.

Endymon: In Greek mythology she catches sight of the sleeping Endymion, and falls in love with him. But their love was doomed. As he was a man, not a god, their love is forbidden.

She was often depicted with the crescent of the moon above her forehead

Like her Apollo, her brother, she was also a god of healing, but she could also bring and spread terrible diseases such as leprosy

Actaeon: She was bathing in the woods when a hunter named Actaeon stumbled across her. He stopped and stared, amazed at her beauty. The goddess was furious and punished Actaeon. She forbade Actaeon to speak threatening to turn him into a stag if he disobeyed. He ignored her and called to his hunting party, and was changed into a stag. His own hounds then turned upon him and tore him to pieces.

On another occasion she was bathing, attended by hand servant nymphs when she was seen by satyrs who tried to ravage them (see above picture).

Niobe: Niobe bragged that she was more important than Leto, the mother of Artemis and her brother Apollo, as she had 14 children and Leto only two. In revenge for the insult, the brother and sister killed all of Niobe's children, except two, with their bow and arrows. Niobe wept for her dead children so much that she turned into a pillar of stone.

Worshipping the gods

Worshipping the gods

Artemis - Greek Gods & Greek Mythology for Kids
Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, was one of the extraordinary number of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. The legend and myth about Artemis has been passed down through the ages and plays an important role the history of the Ancient World and the study of the Greek classics. Artemis features in the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks which are based on the idea that these supernatural beings resembled mortals but possessed great magical and mystic powers.

  • The Greek gods and goddesses were immortal but not invulnerable.
  • The Greek Gods including Artemis lived on the summit of the mythical Mount Olympus
  • Artemis looked and dressed like a mortal, ate and slept and was able to marry and have children
  • The Greek gods and goddesses were more beautiful, taller and stronger than mere mortals

Greek gods and goddesses, such as Artemis, possessed supernatural powers and presided over specific dominions and were strongly associated with areas of power. Artemis is known as the Greek goddess of the hunt.

Artemis

  • Interesting information and Facts about the Greek goddess Artemis
  • Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt
  • Stories and Legends in Greek Mythology associated with Artemis
  • Facts and information about the Gods and Deities of the Ancient World for schools and kids
  • Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt
 

 
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