Diana is a Roman Goddess who is often compared with the Greek Goddess Artemis. She is associated with hunting, wildlife, nature, childbirth, the moon, and the night. Whilst this version Goddess was said to the daughter of Jupiter and Latona, there was also a Diana who originated independently in Italy who was known as 'Diana of the Wood', and it is believed that in an attempt to control the Latin tribes, the Roman's adopted Diana and eventually conflated her with the Goddess Artemis. As such, Diana was also considered the twin brother of the God Apollo.
Diana originally was a Goddess of the hunt, and it was only later during that Hellenistic period that she became associated with the countryside and nature in general. She also took on the role of a triple Goddess; in one form she is known as Diana the hunter, Diana of the moon, and Diana of the underworld (taking on the aspects of Luna/Selene, and Hecate respectively). In another, she is called upon along with Luna/Selene and Hecate. However, it is believed that her role as an underworld Goddess predates Greek influence.
Her role as a Goddess of childbirth, fertility, and protector of women in labour most likely comes from her association with the moon, and a shrine dedicated to her found in Africa contained offerings of terracotta shaped in the form of the womb, and of babies.
Whilst Diana was considered to be a virgin Goddess, later mythology pairs her with Caelus (the God of the sky), and together they gave birth to the God Janus, the God Jupiter, and the Goddess Ops. Many of the myths of Artemis became associated with Diana, including that of Actaeon, who she turns into a deer to be torn apart by his own dogs when he spies the Goddess bathing.
Diana originally was a Goddess of the hunt, and it was only later during that Hellenistic period that she became associated with the countryside and nature in general. She also took on the role of a triple Goddess; in one form she is known as Diana the hunter, Diana of the moon, and Diana of the underworld (taking on the aspects of Luna/Selene, and Hecate respectively). In another, she is called upon along with Luna/Selene and Hecate. However, it is believed that her role as an underworld Goddess predates Greek influence.
Her role as a Goddess of childbirth, fertility, and protector of women in labour most likely comes from her association with the moon, and a shrine dedicated to her found in Africa contained offerings of terracotta shaped in the form of the womb, and of babies.
Whilst Diana was considered to be a virgin Goddess, later mythology pairs her with Caelus (the God of the sky), and together they gave birth to the God Janus, the God Jupiter, and the Goddess Ops. Many of the myths of Artemis became associated with Diana, including that of Actaeon, who she turns into a deer to be torn apart by his own dogs when he spies the Goddess bathing.
Several shrines and temples have been found dedicated to Diana, with one of her primary sancturies considered to be a woodland grove overlooking Lake Nemi (the lake also being known as 'Diana's Mirror'), where she was worshipped as Diana of the Wood. Despite being a virgin Goddess, both men and women were welcome to worship her at her temples, apart from one; a temple on the Vicus Patricius where it appears only women worshipped Diana. Hanging stag antlers in her temples were a common way of honouring this Goddess.
A festival dedicated to Diana was held annually at Nemi on the Ides of August (13th - 15th of August), and was called the Nemoralia. Participants would journey to Nemi carrying garlands and torches, and leave tablets inscribed with prayers to her at the lake.
Diana worship seem to spread across Europe, and interestingly she is the only pagan Goddess to be named in the New Testament (although some other versions do refer to Artemis instead).
Being conflated with Artemis, the depictions of Diana are very similar to that of Artemis. She is often shown carrying a bow and arrows, wearing a golden cloak, boots, and a tunic. Dogs were also associated with her through her role as a hunter Goddess.
A festival dedicated to Diana was held annually at Nemi on the Ides of August (13th - 15th of August), and was called the Nemoralia. Participants would journey to Nemi carrying garlands and torches, and leave tablets inscribed with prayers to her at the lake.
Diana worship seem to spread across Europe, and interestingly she is the only pagan Goddess to be named in the New Testament (although some other versions do refer to Artemis instead).
Being conflated with Artemis, the depictions of Diana are very similar to that of Artemis. She is often shown carrying a bow and arrows, wearing a golden cloak, boots, and a tunic. Dogs were also associated with her through her role as a hunter Goddess.
