Artemis of Pompeii

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

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Much of the worship of Artemis appears to have involved young girls - for them, she was a protector. There is evidence that, during festivals, young girls would dress up as bears to play-act. Men worshipped Artemis, too. Some took vows of celibacy in her name and priests of Artemis would castrate themselves. Hunters, of course, worshipped her and would sacrifice to her some of the game they caught when they had a particularly good day.

One of Artemis' most important functions in ancient Greece was to preside over the transition of young women from virginity (parthenos) to a fully mature and "tamed" woman (gyne), not to mention the transitions involved in childbirth and the rearing of young children. She also played a role for young men because she was involved in rites of passage to adulthood, hunting, and war. This was especially true in Sparta where she was called Artemis Orthia.

Worship of Artemis among the Ancient Greeks appears to have been very popular - especially in Ephesus, her home city. St. Paul describes having visited Ephesus and finding her cult so strong that there is simply no interest in converting to the Christianity preached. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was destroyed three times and rebuilt twice.

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