Artemis

Statue of goddess Artemis. Handmade of alabaster,and painted in museum patina.

Artemis is one of the oldest & most complex but also the most interesting forms of the Greek pantheon. Daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin sister of Apollo, queen of mountains and forests. Goddess of hunting, protector of small children and animals.

Artemis and nature

One of Artemis’ most favorite pastimes was hunting. Active, impetuous and agile woman, the free and immovable goddess channeled most of her energy in the search and pursuit of prey in the mountains.   Accompanied by cool and beautiful nymphs and surrounded by wild hounds, followed by the scorpion, it ran around lakes, rivers, meadows and mountains in order to respond with mainly wild animals.  Dressed in simple light clothes and equipped with the appropriate equipment for the occasion, she threw herself with enthusiasm and fury into what mainly interested her.  Indomitable, tough and arrogant, a keen connoisseur of the art of archery and a very capable runner and hunter, he devoted himself passionately to hunting.

One of the main features of Artemis was her universal dominance in nature. Day and wildlife, fish in the water and birds in the air were all under her protection.

As a goddess and protector of nature, Artemis was considered responsible for both agriculture and animal husbandry. Areas that adored and honored it unceasingly always had fertile land, sprinkled fields, rich crops and healthy and fertile animals. On the contrary, those of the regions who did not properly fulfill their obligations to it. And in addition ignored its existence, had to face its vengeful rage and fury, which amounted to the destruction of the seedlings and the decimation of the herds.

Trojan War

The war between Greeks and Trojans does not find Artemis indifferent. Together with her brother Apollo, Mars, Aphrodite and Leto, she actively participates with the Trojans. One of the first incidents that happened before the war started was due to Artemis’ anger and rage. The Greek fleet, due to the apnea created by the goddess, could not start. An accident by the leader of the Achaeans, Agamemnon, had caused this situation. Once, without realizing it, he had invaded a grove dedicated to Artemis and killed a sacred deer.

The goddess was so enraged that she demanded A sacrifice . His daughter Iphigenia in order for favorable winds to help the sailing of the Greek ships. Agamemnon, seeing that there was no other solution, was forced to sacrifice his daughter. At the last moment, however, the goddess took pity on Iphigenia, snatched her from the altar of sacrifice and put a deer in her place. He then took his daughter to Taurida, where he made her her priestess.