Ancient Greek and Roman Myths Notes

Artemis (Diana)

Artemis – ancient Greek goddess (Roman name Diana) of hunt, daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin sister of Apollo. Artemis was always a virgin and eternally young, with no interests beyond hunting. Like her brother, her weapon was the bow. Her arrows inflicted sudden death without pain. She was vindictive and there were many who suffered from her anger.
See: François Boucher. Diana Leaving Her Bath. Diana after the Hunt.
Correggio Diana.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir Diana.
Peter Paul Rubens and Frans Snyders Diana Returning from the Chase.
Jan Vermeer Diana and Her Companions.
Paolo Veronese. Diana.
CallistoJupiter, the principle god of Roman mythology (corresponds to Greek Zeus) impregnates the nymph Callisto, who is in retinue of Diana, the chaste goddess, and therefore also sworn to chastity. As they bathe together, the goddess discovers that Callisto is pregnant and rejects her.
See: Titian Diana and Callisto.
Actaeon – the hunter, who came across Diana and her nymphs as they were bathing. As he had seen the chaste goddess naked she turned him into a stag; in the shape of the stag Actaeon was torn apart by his own dogs who failed to recognize him.
See: Thomas Gainsborough Diana and Actaeon.
Titian Diana and Actaeon.
Diana and Endymion. In later times Romans began associate the goddess Diana (Artemis) with Selene (goddess of Moon), who, unlike Diana, was not famous for her chastity. With this Diana/Selene and Endymion, a young shepherd of great beauty, the following legend deals: when Selene saw Endymion, she fell violently in love and seduced him. At Selene’s request Zeus, her father, agreed to fulfill any of his fancy. He chose the eternal sleep, and fell asleep, remaining young forever.
François Boucher. Diana and Endymion.
Karl Brulloff. Diana, Endymion, and Satyr.
Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson. Endymion Asleep.
Nicolas Poussin. Diana and Endymion.
Jacopo Robusti, called Tintoretto. Diana and Endymion.
 

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