Artemis

Goddess of the wild, the hunt, and childbirth. She protects children, including young animals. Her most famous temple is the temple of Artemis Ephesia in Ephesos, although originally this may have enshrined a different goddess.

Epithets

• Agroterê: Of the Hunt
• Diktynnaia: Of the Hunting Nets
• Pheraia: Of the Beasts
• Elaphiaia: Of the Deer
• Daphnaiê: Of the Laurel Tree
• Kedreatis: Of the Cedar Tree
• Karyai/Karyatis: Of the Walnut Tree
• Limnaiê: Of the Lake
• Hêleia: Of the Marshes
• Eurynômê: Of Broad Pastures
• Lykeiê: Of Wolves
• Paidotrophos: Nurse of Children
• Philomeirax: Friend of Young Girls
• Orsilokhia: Helper of Childbirth
• Phôsphoros: Light-Bringer
• Sôteira: Savior
• Hêmerasia: She Who Soothes
• Hymniê: Of the Hymns
• Hêgemonê: Leader of the Dance and Choir
• Aristê: Best
• Eukleia: Of Good Repute
• Kallistê: Very Beautiful
• Basileis: Princess

Offerings

• Cypress, cedar, or palm
• Venison
• Jasmine, myrtle, amaranthus, wormwood, oregano
• Peanuts
• Frankincense
• Amphiphontes cakes
• Animal-shaped cookies and cakes
• Clothing
• Bows and arrows

Prayers and Hymns

“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: earthquakes 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 neat-ankled 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.”

-The Homeric Hymns

“Shooter of deer, I supplicate you, Artemis, Zeus’s fair-haired daughter, Mistress of beasts of the wild.”

-The Homeric Hymn to Apollon

“Artemis, slayer of beasts and daughter of Zeus, You whose statue Agamemnon set up When he sailed to Troy with his fleet of swift ships, Hear me as I pray, and ward off from me The evil spirits of death. For you, goddess, This is a small thing- but for me, a great one.”

- Theognis, Elegies 11-14