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3. Ártæmis (Artemis; Ἄρτεμις, ΑΡΤΕΜΙΣ. Pronunciation: AHR-tæ-mees)
One of the most important deities of Ællînismόs (Hellênismos, Ἑλληνισμός), the ancient Greek religion, and one of the Twelve Olympian Gods, Ártæmis is the twin sister of Apóllôn (Apollô, Ἀπόλλων). She is the daughter of Zefs (Ζεύς) and the Titan Goddess Litóh (Letô, Λητώ). Ártæmis, like her twin brother Apóllôn, is the natural progression of Litóh. Apóllôn and Ártæmis are both emanations of Litóh-souls with twin characteristics. Ártæmis was born before her brother on the island of Ortiyía (Ortygia, Ορτυγία), near Syrákousai (Syracuse, Συράκουσαι) although some sources say that they were both born on Dílos and that Ortiyía was an ancient name for the island.
Generalities Concerning the Goddess Ártæmis
Ártæmis is a virgin Goddess, like Athîná (Athena, Ἀθηνᾶ) and Æstía (Hestia, Ἑστία), but this virginity is a type of divine purity having nothing to do with mortal sex.
Ártæmis is unblemished and overflowing with wholesomeness, energy, and health, all of which she bestows on mortals.
Ártæmis protects children generally, young girls before they marry, and the sucklings and young of wild-life.
Ártæmis assists in childbirth.
Ártæmis protects the flocks of herdsmen.
Ártæmis has dominion over the moon while her brother Apóllôn has dominion over the sun.
Ártæmis is the huntress who pursues game with her dog, the Agathós Daimôn (Agathos Daemôn, Ἀγαθὸς Δαίμων), or rather her many dogs; the game she pursues are the beautiful souls in need of progression. Ártæmis, like her brother, possesses the bow and arrow; the arrow she dispatches is a mighty fire that pushes the soul forward to great arætí (aretê, ἀρετή), the highest virtue. She can be seen in the iconography hunting and is, therefore, the Goddess of the chase.
The worship of both Ártæmis and Apóllôn is believed to have come from the Ypærvóreii (Hyperboreans; Ὑπερβόρειοι).
The Orphic hymns suggest the offering of manna to the Goddess. Other suitable offerings include cakes in the shape of stags, goats, and dogs.
Of animals, the stag, boar, and dog are sacred to Ártæmis. Amongst plants, the fir-tree is sacred to her.
Ártæmis in Iconography
Ártæmis is usually depicted as a youthful, wholesome, and vigorous young woman wearing a simple tunic, with a stag or a dog by her side. Unlike many modern depictions of the Goddess, in antiquity she was never depicted naked, but she is athletic, with her legs exposed up to the knee. She exhibits absolute confidence and, while distinctly feminine, has something masculine about her. She carries a bow and a quiver of arrows, sometimes pulling one out.
Often the hair of Ártæmis is tied up and appears short, but at times long and braided. She is commonly presented with Apóllôn (and Litóh) by her side. Her chariot is drawn by four stags with antlers of gold.
The statues of Ártæmis of Ǽphæsos (Ephesus, Ἔφεσος) are quite unique. She wears a gown (ἐπενδύτης) covered with eggs (some think of them as breasts or even offerings of bull testicles, but we have a different opinion). These eggs are the beautiful souls which Ártæmis has hunted with her dogs and gathers close to her heart. The garment is also adorned with various animals, arranged in rows: horses, lions, griffins, etc. The robe is tight-fitting and extends down to her ankles in a tapering pillar-like term. She bears a tall crown on her head depicting the walls of the city, which she protects. Her extended arms rest on staffs of intertwined snakes or οὐροβόροι, serpents with their tails in their mouths, a symbol of eternity. This can be surmised from coins from Ǽphæsos (although it is rather impossible to say definitively what they are); the staffs are missing on most of the statues. Like Phánîs (Phanês, Φάνης), some of the statues include symbols of the zodiac as a garland, symbolic over her dominion extending through the universe. She will have wreaths of seeds and acorns also. Some of the sculptures are flanked on either side with beautiful deer.
When she is depicted in her role having dominion over the Moon, Ártæmis wears a long flowing gown. The crescent moon is above her head, which is covered with a veil. In her hand is often a torch.
The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.
Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.
Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.
How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.
This logo is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia, Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase (Γῆς παῖς εἰμί καὶ Οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος) are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara, κιθάρα), the lyre of Apóllôn (Apollo, Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς).
PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology , the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.
The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.
Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.
SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:
Pronunciation of Ancient Greek
Transliteration of Ancient Greek
Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos
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