Artemis is the Greek goddess of hunting. The Romans knew her as Diana.

Artemis is usually seen holding a bow and arrow. She has taken a vow of chastity and will never marry.

Artemis is jealous of anyone who claims to be a better hunter than her. King Agamemnon was one person to make such a foolish boast, and he compounded his error when he killed one of her stags in a scared grove. He paid a heavy price for crossing Artemis. She calmed the winds and stopped his ships sailing to the Trojan War until he had given her hid daughter, Iphigenia, as a sacrifice.

Oeneus was another king who upset the chaste goddess. He forgot to include her in the harvest festival, and as a punishment she sent the Calydonian Boar to ravish his lands.

In the Trojan war she took the side of the Trojans along with her brother, Apollo.

Filed under: Who's who of the Greek Gods.