Artemis was a much revered goddess in ancient Greek times, and she represented many different things. From childbirth and chastity, to hunting and wild animals, Artemis’ influence over ancient Greek inhabitants was far-reaching.
The twin of Artemis was also a highly influential and revered figure in ancient Greece. But who exactly was the twin of Artemis? Read on to find out more.
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What is Artemis the god of?
Artemis is the goddess of the Moon, chastity, childbirth, the hunt, wild animals, and the wilderness.
She is one of the few goddesses to remain a virgin for her entire life, and her purity was worshipped in ancient times. According to the Greek poet, Callimachus, Artemis made 10 wishes whilst set upon the lap of her father, Zeus. Among the wishes, she asked to rule all the mountains, to be the Light Bringer, and to be able to bring relief to mothers experiencing pain in childbirth.
Who was the twin of Artemis?
Artemis’ twin brother was Apollo. They are both the children of Zeus and Leto. Apollo is widely believed to be the most beautiful of all of the Greek gods and his beardless and athletic body was idolised by inhabitants of ancient Greece.
He is the God of Sun, Healing, Knowledge, and Music, and is also an oracular god who was worshipped for his foresight and prophetic ability.
Due to the multifaceted nature of Apollo, he was often referred to by different names depending on the divine association. When referred to as the God of the Sus, for example, Apollo was known as Phoebus, whereas in relation to music he was referred to as the Leader of the Muses. Apollo was also known as Loxias in relation to his prophetic abilities.
How many siblings did Artemis have?
Other than her twin, Apollo, Artemis had a large number of half-siblings ranging from Aphrodite and Ares, to Helen of Troy and Hermes. For a better look on how many siblings Artemis has, check out our article on how many children Zeus had.
Facts about Artemis
- Artemis’ parents were Zeus and Leto.
- Artemis’ Roman name is Diana.
- Artemis was a virgin, and she was very protective of her virginity. She was revered in ancient Greece for her purity.
- Artemis was protective of wild animals, and punished Agamemnon when he killed a stag on her sacred grove. His punishment was to kill his daughter, Iphigenia.
- The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
Facts about Apollo
- Apollo is one of the few Greek gods who has the same name in both Greek and Roman mythology.
- Apollo is the God of Healing, Knowledge, and Music, among many other things.
- On two occasions, Zeus stripped Apollo of his divine immortality as a punishment.
- Apollo killed Python and Tityos, after they were sent by Hera to kill his mother, Leto.
- The objects most commonly associated with Apollo are the lyre, a silver bow, and the laurel tree.
Get in Touch
Do you know any interesting facts about the twin of Artemis, Apollo? If you think we’ve missed something essential, please let us know in the comment section below!
For any enquiries, contact me at richard@mythologyplanet.com
For a more detailed look at Artemis and Apollo, watch the great YouTube video below by See U in History / Mythology.