Comparing Diana And Artemis In Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, chastity, virginity, the moon and the natural environment. Her counterpart in Roman mythology, Diana, is the goddess of the woodlands, wild animals and hunting. Both goddesses are important in mythologies that were very different and yet probably the most known of all types of mythology. Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo—who has no Roman correspondent—and the daughter of the titan Leto and the god Zeus. She and Apollo were born on a floating island—known as Ortygia—due to Hera’s jealousy of Leto’s union with Zeus—Hera’s husband for all intents and purposes. When Artemis was born, she began to help her mother give birth to her twin, Apollo. This is the reason that the Greeks regarded her as the goddess of labor and childbirth. Artemis rejected love and marriage, never getting involved in the task of having lovers, and begged Zeus to give her eternal chastity and virginity. She was completely devoted to her hunting and to nature itself. Her Roman equivalent, Diana, is seen as the goddess of fertility, woodlands, wild animals, and hunting. She is often seen as a virgin huntress accompanied by deer, maidens, or hunting dogs. She is often …show more content…
To some, they are the same, and to others, they are very different. Nevertheless, the goddesses are of Greek and Roman origin. Greek mythology is most likely the most known type of mythology in existence today with Roman mythology coming up in a close second. Many different people study these two types of mythology, whether it be how they differ, or how similar they are. The Romans took Greek gods and goddesses, gave them different names—in most cases, anyway—and made them slightly more warlike. Both Diana and Artemis are interpreted as strong, virgin women who protect nature and hunt game. They are often seen as one goddess—usually Diana—who protects women in labor and