From Artemis to Diana: The Goddess of Man and Beast

The 2009 issue of Acta Hyperborea is devoted to the many aspects of the goddess Artemis/Diana. Articles discuss her possible origins in ancient Iran and other near eastern goddesses that might have become part of her cult. Artemis was seen as a goddess of the hunt and as a protector of children and women in childbirth. She was also associated with the moon and healing. In the studies of Greek literary representations of Artemis and of archeological sites associated with her in Greek and Roman territories, many of the authors strike a balance between Artemis as an imported "colonial" cult and her syncretism with local deities. One essay, on the relationship of Artemis with the goddess Spartan Orthia in the seventh century BCE, is in German, with the others in English. The issue also contains a forum on recent scholarship and book reviews. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)