The Diana of Versailles, a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture by Leochares. (Louvre Museum)
Artemis is the daughter of Zeus, twin sister of Apollo, and a totally independent goddess who chose to remain an eternal virgin. While the behaviour of most nymphs and goddesses would give feminists a wedgie, Artemis is one who’s right up their alley. Her fearless actions, especially of tearing up young men into pieces before breakfast, would have them cheer from the sidelines, “You go, girl!”
In spite of her wild cat image, Artemis is supposed to be the goddess of childbirth and protector of vulnerable young women. She is said to have aided her mother in delivering her twin brother just minutes after she herself was born. On growing older she is seen as one quick to respond to injustice and is always at hand to aid her brother. When asked what she wanted from her father she demanded a bow and silver arrows that caused no pain to hone her hunting skills, freedom to dress as she pleased and not be confined in feminine attire that restricted movement, sixty nymphs or priestesses to obey her commands, all the mountains to be her domain, the primary job of bringing light into the world, and that she be not pressurised into matrimony. This probably blew Zeus’ mind, but he agreed to all of her demands.
Diana and Callisto by Titian
So off she went into the woods to live a life of freedom with her nymphs, hunting dogs, wild beasts, and nature. She is known as the goddess of the hunt, the moon, the woods, as well as childbirth and fruitfulness. She abhorred the presence of males and any who approached or attempted to ravish any of her nymphs met with horrible fates.
The oft- repeated tale of Actaeon is a perfect example of her misandry. He was on a happy hunting trip with his faithful hounds when he happened to see her bathe in a stream deep inside the woods. Now those acquainted with her would have an inking of the consequences if discovered, and make a quick getaway. But this hapless chap just stood and stared, totally mesmerised by the ravishing beauty of the goddess. She turned, she saw, she lost it. In her anger she turned him into a stag by splashing water on him. His dogs no longer knew him and made short work of him. And all he did was look, not that it should be condoned, but a slap in the face would’ve sufficed to break him out of his reverie and teach him some manners. But Artemis was not the goddess of second chances.
