audiobook Goddess and the Warrior: The Naked Goddess and Mistress of the Animals in Early Greek Religion by Nanno Marinatos in History

Description

Artemis is a literary; iconographic; and archaeological study of the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt; who presided over the transitions and mediations between the wild and the civilized; youth and maturity; life and death. Beginning with a study of the early origins of Artemis and her cult in the Bronze and Archaic Ages; Budin explores the goddess' persona and her role in the lives of her worshippers. This volume examines her birth and childhood; her place in the divine family; her virginity; and her associations with those places where the wilds become the "cities of just men." The focus then turns to Artemis’ role in the lives of children and women; particularly how she helps them navigate the transition to adulthood and; perhaps too often; death. Budin goes on to reconsider some of the more harrowing aspects of Artemis’ mythology; such as plague and bloodshed; while also examining some of her kinder; oft overlooked associations. Finally; the role of Artemis in the Renaissance and modern society is addressed; from the on-going fascination with the "breasts" on the statue of Artemis of Ephesos to the Artemisian aspects of Katniss Everdeen. Written in an accessible style; Artemis is a crucial resource for students not only of Greek myth; religion and cult; but also those seeking to understand the lives and roles of girls and women in ancient Greece; as this goddess presided over their significant milestones; from maiden to wife to mother.