Dria El
June 11th, 2001, 09:20 PM
Artemis is the virgin-huntress, a goddess of the chase and forest creatures. She has a mannish manner and is usually depicted carrying a bow and quiver. She is always accompanied by a troop of female woodland nymphs.
Artemis was born to Zeus and Leto (the daughter of Titans Coeus and Phoebe). Zeus was married to Hera (who by the way was Zeus' own sister) when he took Leto as his consort. When Hera found out, she persecuted Leto by condemning her to bear her children in a land of complete darkness. After traveling throughout Greece, Leto finally gave birth to Artemis on the island of Delos.
Artemis' twin brother Apollo was the God of light and inspiration. Artemis helped her mother during the childbirth, which is why she is associated with women in labor. Artemis and Apollo are full-fledged Olympians because they have two divine parents.
Artemis seems a proven match for any of the male Gods. Tall in stature and strong of build, she is without peer as a hunter and Ares' (God of war) equal as a warrior. She nonetheless possesses enough physical beauty to make even Aphrodite (the Goddess of love) jealous. Unlike Aphrodite, Artemis is forever chaste.
ARTEMIS' HOMERIC HYMN
I sing of Artemis, whose shafts are of gold, who cheers on the hounds, the pure maiden, shooter of stags, who delights in archery, own sister to Apollo with the golden sword. Over the shadowy hills and windy peaks she draws her golden bow, rejoicing in the chase, and sends out grievous shafts. The tops of the high mountains tremble and the tangled wood echoes awesomely with the outcry of beasts: earth quakes and the sea also where fishes shoal. But the goddess with a bold heart turns every way destroying the race of wild beasts: and when she is satisfied and has cheered her heart, this huntress who delights in arrows slackens her supple bow and goes to the great house of her dear brother Phoebus Apollo, to the rich land of Delphi there to order the lovely dance of the Muses and Graces. There she hangs up her curved bow and her arrows, and heads and leads the dances, gracefully arrayed, while all they utter their heavenly voice, singing how Leto bare children supreme among the immortals both in thought and in deed. Hail to you, children of Zeus and rich-haired Leto! And now I will remember you and another song also.
Artemis was born to Zeus and Leto (the daughter of Titans Coeus and Phoebe). Zeus was married to Hera (who by the way was Zeus' own sister) when he took Leto as his consort. When Hera found out, she persecuted Leto by condemning her to bear her children in a land of complete darkness. After traveling throughout Greece, Leto finally gave birth to Artemis on the island of Delos.
Artemis' twin brother Apollo was the God of light and inspiration. Artemis helped her mother during the childbirth, which is why she is associated with women in labor. Artemis and Apollo are full-fledged Olympians because they have two divine parents.
Artemis seems a proven match for any of the male Gods. Tall in stature and strong of build, she is without peer as a hunter and Ares' (God of war) equal as a warrior. She nonetheless possesses enough physical beauty to make even Aphrodite (the Goddess of love) jealous. Unlike Aphrodite, Artemis is forever chaste.
ARTEMIS' HOMERIC HYMN
I sing of Artemis, whose shafts are of gold, who cheers on the hounds, the pure maiden, shooter of stags, who delights in archery, own sister to Apollo with the golden sword. Over the shadowy hills and windy peaks she draws her golden bow, rejoicing in the chase, and sends out grievous shafts. The tops of the high mountains tremble and the tangled wood echoes awesomely with the outcry of beasts: earth quakes and the sea also where fishes shoal. But the goddess with a bold heart turns every way destroying the race of wild beasts: and when she is satisfied and has cheered her heart, this huntress who delights in arrows slackens her supple bow and goes to the great house of her dear brother Phoebus Apollo, to the rich land of Delphi there to order the lovely dance of the Muses and Graces. There she hangs up her curved bow and her arrows, and heads and leads the dances, gracefully arrayed, while all they utter their heavenly voice, singing how Leto bare children supreme among the immortals both in thought and in deed. Hail to you, children of Zeus and rich-haired Leto! And now I will remember you and another song also.