Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics Artemis
Jul 29, 2024
Explore the fierce and multifaceted goddess Artemis, a protector of young girls and a hunter who might send a boar to wreak havoc if forgotten. Delve into her complex ties to virginity, childbirth, and the tragic stories of human sacrifice surrounding her. Experience Iphigenia's heartbreaking journey and her father's dire choices, as well as the cautionary tale of Actaeon, who pays the ultimate price for voyeurism. Through humor and myth, uncover how these ancient narratives still echo in our lives today.
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Artemis As Protector And Predator
- Artemis is a complex, predatory goddess who is primarily an archer and protector of young girls.
- She operates outside city rules and embodies both protection and deadly vengeance.
Brauron's Young 'Bear' Priestesses
- At Brauron, Artemis's priestesses were young girls nicknamed 'bears' who may have worn yellow ritual dresses.
- Statues and Aristophanes suggest some served as young as seven to ten years old.
Virgin Yet Linked To Childbirth
- Artemis is a virgin goddess associated with girls' rites of passage and childbirth despite rejecting marriage.
- She is twinned with lunar and childbirth deities, showing overlapping roles.
