Source edition
Callimachus and Lycophron; Aratus. Mair, A. W., editor. London: William Heinemann; New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1921.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This poem is a hymn that celebrates the sacred power and glory of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and chastity, through various mythological episodes. The narrative begins with a charming scene of the young Artemis sitting on the lap of her father Zeus, asking for various privileges—such as eternal virginity, hunting dogs, and a bow—which Zeus generously grants. It then vividly and humorously describes her path to establishing her divine power, including her encounters with the Cyclopes to obtain her weapons, receiving hunting dogs from Pan, and capturing the golden-horned deer for her chariot. The poem also depicts her return to Olympus, featuring an amusing interaction with Heracles, and shares myths of her beloved nymphs and the origins of the temple at Ephesus. Finally, by illustrating the tragic fates of those who dared to disrespect the goddess, the work warns mortals of her wrath and concludes with a sublime praise of her divinity.