origin myth
Some origins tell of Artemis, in relation to Artemis Ephesus, as a Great Mother Goddess. Artemis Ephesus she is not thought to be a virgin, like Artemis. However she is instead featured in a sculpture with many breasts, to signify that she is mother of all life. Some theorist muse that Artemis probably once had a partner as Artemis Ephesus. However this was never the case for Artemis as a Greek goddess. Theorist also say that the change from the Mother Goddess to the pure and somewhat tomboyish Artemis "suggests a defeminization of the Great Goddess." Theorist contribute this "defeminization" to the overthrowing of her powerful society ruled by women. The final result of this "defeminization" is the Artemis that most of us now know: the virgin goddess of the hunt, childbirth, and the protector of the young, both animals and humans.
Powers and Domain
Artemis is usually seen wearing her short tunic with flat-heeled sandals with a bags of arrows on her back. She is also usually seen with many wild animals including the bear, the boar, the stag, the goat and packs of dogs. Also, since she is the goddess of the hunt she is then associated with death, bows and arrows and youth. Her arrows, serve several other purposes than just the hunt. Artemis is said to have been able to use her arrows to give people sicknesses, as well as use them to punish those who made her angry or treated her badly. Since she is associated with childbirth, it is sometimes said that she would use her arrows to end the pain of those in labor. Artemis is also associated with the crescent moon, which she sometimes wears on her head. Artemis, like Athena, is a chaste goddess and her many followers take vows of chastity while under the service of Artemis.