Artemis of Dodona, about 500 BC
Dodona in the landscape of Epirus was an ancient Greek sanctuary and oracle. It was considered the oldest oracle in Greece and, after Delphi, was the most important supraregional oracle in the Greek world.
The patina of the Artemis bronze statuette was covered by chemical
artificial oxidation is caused by a shortened period of time.
Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting, was equated with the Roman Diana.
She was born on the floating island of Delos, daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin sister of the light god Apollo. If her brother was equated with the sun god, Artemis was the corresponding moon goddess, who was often identified with Selene.
Artemis was the virgin goddess of hunting and nature. Their cult was related to the tree cult. As mistress of the animals, she was especially connected with deer and bear, nymphs appeared in her entourage. That is why Artemis was usually depicted in short robes, with arrow and lance, often accompanied by deer and nymphs.
On the one hand, she was worshipped as a goddess of chastity, on the other hand she was worshipped as a goddess of vegetation or fertility. The cult statue of Artemis of Ephesus in Asia Minor was many-breasted, a Roman copy has been preserved. As the goddess of marriage and birth, Artemis was called upon by women at childbirth and was often equated with Eileithyia, the ancient Greek goddess of birth.
The hunter Aktaion, who was brought up by the wise Centaur Cheiron, surprised Artemis with her nymphs while bathing. The goddess turned him into a deer for this iniquitous crime. His own hunting dogs torn up Aktaion.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World was the Artemis Temple in Ephesos in today's Turkey near the city of Izmir. The temple was set on fire by Herostratos in 356 B. C. to go down in history. His plan came true. Even today, gangsters from glorious addiction are called Herostrat.
