Greek Goddess Artemis

Olympian Goddess Artemis was born to Zeus, the king of the gods and Leto, a daughter of Titans Coeus and Phaebe. Moments after her own birth, she assisted her mothering in the delivery of her twin brother Apollo.

Artemis was born the goddess of wild animals, hunting, forests, childbirth, protector of children and chastity. She was also (along with her brother), the bringer of disease and distributed arrows of sudden death. It is also written that Artemis became the goddess of the moon.

At three years of age Artemis asked her father Zeus to grant her three wishes and he did so. Artemis first wished to remain chaste forever and to never be held down by marriage. Next she asked for hounds, ones with loped ears. She also asked for stags for her chariot and nymphs, 60 from the river and 20 from the ocean to act as her virgin hunting companions. Lastly she asked for a silver bow, like the one her brother Apollo had.

Artemis spent much of her time in the wilderness practicing archery and became rather famous for her hunting skills. In the story of Adonis, Adonis himself bragged about how he was better than the goddess Artemis in hunting. As a punishment for his claims, Artemis sent a wild boar to kill him.

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus became one of the "Seven Wonders of the World." Here she was worshiped for the most part as the mother goddess. Ephesus was also the best known place of her worship with the exception of Delos, where she was born. Her other popular places of worship were in Attica at Brauron, Mounikhia and Sparta.

Artemis was the most independent of the goddesses. She loved her personal space and freedom and those who violated it where punished. Actaeon, the Theban prince and hunter, came upon Artemis while she was bathing. Artemis was enraged and she turned Actaeon into a stage and he was killed and devoured by his own hounds.

Artemis had only loved one man and that was Orion, a respected mortal. Unfortunately Apollo (who had become jealous of his sister), tricked his sister into a challenge. He said that she couldn't hit the far object out in the horizon. Artemis took the challenge and made the shot with great accuracy and skill. She then realized he had been tricked into killing Orion. She turned hid dead body into stars and shot him up into the sky. He is still there today as the constellation Orion's Belt.

During the Trojan War Artemis sided with the Trojans and came to blows with Hera (the older sister and wife of Zeus). Hera struck Artemis in the ears, and as she tried to free herself, her arrows and bow fell from their quiver. Artemis was able to get free and fled in tears. Hera and Artemis fought again over the Indian Wars of Dionysus. Artemis tried with all her might, but Hera was able to defeat her again, as she used one of Zeus's clouds as a shield.

In artwork Artemis is often shown wearing a knee length chiton, hunting boots, a quiver filled with arrows and a silver bow. She is often accompanied by her stags and other animals. She is also often shown in her golden chariot, pulled by her stags, in a hunt.