Artemis

Name and meaning: Artemis’ name’s meaning is unknown.

Goddess of:  hunting, moon, wilderness and wild animals. She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protectress of the girl child up to the age of marriage. Her twin brother Apollo was similarly the protector of the boy child. Together the two gods were also bringers of sudden death and disease-Artemis targeted women and girls, and Apollo men and boys. Artemis vowed to be a maiden forever.

Family: Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Artemis had a twin brother, Apollo. She was born just before him and helped her mother give birth. Her other siblings (gods) are Athena, Persephone, Hephaestus, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes and Dionysus. Her aunts and uncles (gods) are Hestia, Hades, Hera, Poseidon and Demeter.

Artemis's symbol: a golden bow and arrow

Artemis's symbol: a stag or a deer

Some of Artemis's most famous myths...

Artemis and Orion

Artemis loved the giant Orion and came near marrying him. Apollo took this hard, and when scolding her did not help, he decided on a more cruel persuasion. When he saw the head of Orion who was swimming, he told his sister that she couldn't hit with her arrows the black object in the sea. Since she wished to be called an expert in that skill, she shot an arrow and pierced the head of Orion. The waves brought his slain body to the shore and Artemis, grieving greatly that she had struck him, and mourning his death with many tears, put him among the constellations.

The daughters of Niobe

Amphion married Niobe, the daughter of Tantalos, who had seven sons and as many daughters. Proud of the number, Niobe claimed to be more blessed with children than Leto. Leto was annoyed by this, and urged Artemis and Apollo against Niobe’s children. Artemis killed all the females in the house with her arrows, an Apollo all the males as they were hunting together on Mount Cithaeron. Of the boys only Amphion was spared, and of the girls only Khloris the elder.

Find out more about 'She was born just before him and helped her mother give birth.' with Apollo's fact sheet.