Places of the myth of Artemis - Diana (Syracuse)

The site is part of the Places of Myth and Legends - entered in the Register of the Sicily Region LIM (Places of the gods and minor divinities)

According to Greek mythology, Artemide, identified with Italian Diana of the Romans, is considered the daughter of Zeus and twin sister of Apollo. Like her brother, she is armed with a bow and loves hunting; however, while Apollo is seen as the personification of the sun, Artemis is seen as the personification of the moon, in fact, she is often represented with her inseparable bow while she goes hunting at night, by torchlight.

In her hunting trips she was often accompanied by beautiful nymphs, and woe to anyone who dared to attack their virtues: the hunter Orione he was, in fact, killed for having attempted to rape some of his escorts.

SIRACUSA

The cult of this goddess was particularly flourishing in Syracuse, on the island of Ortigia, where her temple stood near that of Athena [Diodoro Siculo lib. V.3], with whom she had affinities: both, in fact, had been Persephone's companions. Diodorus tells us that Athena and Artemis made, as Persephone had done, the choice to remain virgins, and, therefore, were raised together with her. It is no coincidence that the cult of Artemis in Syracuse is linked to that of Demeter and Persephone. Indeed, Artemis is seen by Pausanias as the daughter of Demeter; others, however, consider her the daughter of Persephone.

 Syracuse – Fountain of Artemis (Photo: Ignazio Caloggero)

To read the fact sheet relating to the myth, see Artemis (Diana)

Places reported on the IWB: 

• Ortigia (Syracuse) 
• Aeolian Islands

Other places affected by the Myth 

• Segesta
• Camarina
• Selinunte

To visualize the places of the Myth, including those included in the IWB, on the Interactive Map, see the following web page: The places of Artemis (Diana)

Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero

Photo: web/Ignazio Caloggero

Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily