Introduction:
Throughout Greek mythology, Artemis has proudly sat as one of its most revered and beloved goddesses. As the daughter of Zeus and Leto, she is surely rooted in excellence and strength. From her guardianship of the young to her role protecting against wild animals, Artemis is a demure powerhouse of compassion and authority on the Olympian Gods. Although much is known about her from centuries of storytelling, there are still some facts about her that may surprise you. Here, we will discuss 15 phenomenal and often unknown facts about Artemis that will leave you in utter awe and appreciation.
Fact 1: Artemis was the goddess of the moon
Artemis was not only the goddess of the hunt, but also the moon. The Greeks, however, venerated the moon as both a male and female deity. While the male was the sun god known as Helios, the female was Artemis. She was associated with the light and growth that the moon expressed throughout the night and in the changing of the seasons.
Fact 2: Artemis was known as a virgin goddess
One of the most notable features about Artemis is her status as a virgin goddess. Unlike many of the powerful gods throughout the ancient Greek tales, she had never been seduced or wed because she was dedicated to upholding her own beliefs in purity and goodness. Referred to as “Artemis of the Wild Choices” by some authors, her power hinged on her purity and solace.
Fact 3: Artemis was skilled in archer
Swift and accurate with a bow, Artemis was especially adept at archery. Along with her other sphere of influence such as the hunt and wild animals, the bow and arrow was a prominent symbol of her power and domination in the realm of the Greek gods. It is from this that, symbolically speaking, her acts of justice could be both seen and felt.
Fact 4: She had twin brother, Apollo
Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis. She and Apollo often spent their time together, so much so her epithet is often found alongside Apollo’s as an addition in the mythical texts. Cross-referenced as children of Zeus and Leto, they were both honored for their extraordinary power.
Fact 5: Artemis received, several gifts from the gods
Various gifts from the gods were bestowed upon Artemis as she grew. Likely the most notable of these gifts was her golden bow and arrow, an offering from Zeus which she would keep if she remained a virgin. She was also gifted with a kourotrophos (a universal nursemaid) of divine origin by Leto and three loyalties, each given to her by different gods: Pan, Prometheus, and Gaea.
Fact 6: The birth of Artemis was a long and laborious ordeal
As if Artemis’ birth wasn’t heralded enough by the gods, the birth process was also highly arduous. Laboring for nine days, Leto eventually gave birth to Artemis and Apollo – the two immortal gods who continue to captivate us to this day.
Fact 7: She was also the goddess of childbirth
As the daughter of Leto, she was a buttress in the labor and childbirth process; so much so that her guidance as a protector is still considered today. Pretty much any woman about to give birth was reminded to think of or invoke the help and comfort of Artemis.
Fact 8: Artemis was responsible for protecting young girls
Artemis was the primary protector of the girls transitioning to adulthood. As such, she kept a vigilant eye on any young lady seeking to make her debut into the world. It was rumored that she had a host of female helpers who kept vigil over the passage, discouraging any harassment or ill-will behind the scenes.
Fact 9: Artemis was fiercely dedicated to Artemis
Fiercely devoted to Exhibit A, Artemis valued what she believed in and worked hard to ensure the safety of her own moral code. She was recognized as a goddess who held her head and heart high, fueled by her own strong and independent will.
Fact 10: She was responsible for protecting wild animals
Although you may not know this, Artemis was responsible for protecting animals, especially wild ones, from any type of harm or destruction. It was believed that her magical protection would keep the animals safe from any harm, meaning they could continue to live in the wild and in peace.
Fact 11: Artemis was known to be both sweet and fierce
Though she was considered a goddess, Artemis had her own set of emotions and characterized as both gentle and energetic, sweet but fierce if seen fit. It was up to her to dictate when her tenderness should be turned into a fierce one, an ability that many saw as an immense power of her own.
Fact 12: She had many female followers
It’s said that Artemis had many female followers throughout the ancient Greek timeline. Females who viewed her as a role model, often taken her teachings to heart in that they looked to her strength and independence as an example on how to live life and not be compromised if a different idea or opinion didn’t align with someone else’s.
Fact 13: Artemis had special powers and abilities
Due to her being daughter of Zeus, Artemis quite had significant powers and abilities that gave her the upper hand when it came to protecting the citizens and creatures of the land. These included the power to hunt, the prowess of an archer, and the gift of healing.
Fact 14: Artemis and her brother were affinities of nature
Much like their father, both Artemis and Apollo were associated with nature. With their respective powers and strengths, they were aligned for the greater good of the natural environment, bridging the best of their energies to protect and defend.
Fact 15: She was one of the 12 Olympian gods
After long and valued service to the realm of gods, Artemis was awarded the title of one of the Twelve Olympians – the greatest gods of all. Of course, she was highly regarded for the way she cared for her people and the animals, making her an essential part of the gods.
Conclusion
Artemis was an incredible Greek goddess, fiercely independent and dedicated in her works. From her famous guardianship of young women to her potent protection of wildlife, she was a beacon of light and protection for many different types, set to uphold her own moral fortress. With her brother Apollo by her side, all 15 of these facts about Artemis hope to leave you with an acute appreciation for the goddess herself.
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