Artemis, in Greek religion, is the goddess of wild animals, the hunt, vegetation, and chastity. She was also associated with the moon and childbirth. Along with her twin brother, Apollo, she was one of the 12 Olympian gods. Her character and function varied greatly from place to place, but behind all forms lay the goddess of wild nature, who danced, usually accompanied by nymphs, in mountains, forests, and marshes. Artemis embodied the sportsman’s ideal, so besides killing game she also protected it, especially the young; this was the Homeric significance of the title Mistress of Animals.
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