Statue of the Goddess Artemis
Cyprus, 400–300 BC
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

Artemis was the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, and the moon. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. Often depicted carrying a bow and arrows, Artemis was a protector of young women and children, as well as a guardian of nature.

She was also associated with chastity and independence, vowing never to marry. In mythology, Artemis could be both nurturing and fierce—helping women in childbirth but also punishing those who disrespected her or harmed the natural world.

Her worship was widespread across Greece, with her most famous sanctuary located at Ephesus, where the grand Temple of Artemis was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.