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|Artemis: A Part of Growing Up |
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Artemis: A Part of Growing Up
Artemis is one of the oldest known and most widely worshipped of the Greek Goddesses and continued to be worshipped and praised by the people of Asia during the late first century as mentioned in Acts 19:23-24. (Bowker, p.399) Artemis like most deities had many epithets associated with her. In general, the epithets refer to her rule over women’s virginity, childbirth, and protector of young animals. (Blundell, p.30)
Artemis is known to be one of the most complex goddess and evolved into three identities: Arcadian Artemis, Brauronian Artemis, and Ephesian Artemis, all having the same basic attributes but with different origins. (Bell, p.71)
Artemis commonly referred to as Goddess of the Hunt, is one of twelve Olympian Divinities. Artemis’ name means slayer or protector, and has a personality range from nurturing and compassionate to a vengeful executor, but commonly having the hatred of men, a trait she received from Hera.
Artemis has a powerful lineage; she is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and granddaughter to the Titans’ Cronus, Rhea, Coeus, and Phoebe. Artemis is the first-born twin sister of Apollo. She was born on the island of Delos, after her mother had wandered the land fleeing from Hera’s (Zeus’ wife) reaction over Leto’s pregnancy conceived with Zeus. Within...