Greek vs. Roman

Romanus Dea, Graecus Dea

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There are not many differences between the goddess Diana/Artemis. The most obvious of course are the names- Roman Diana, Greek Artemis. For the most part the small differences that do occur stem from the fact that the Romans took the idea of Artemis from the Greeks and made it their own. The differences occurred because Artemis was very different within Greek culture. In different parts of Greece the goddess represented different things - to put it very simply she was either a huntress or a moon goddess though there were many other differences/overlaps due to her many cults. So when the Romans "borrowed" her they did not distinguish between regional differences and combined all parts of the Greek Artemis to create a type of super goddess - Diana. The actual differences are too subtle, and small for them to be worth mentioning in detail here.

This is exhibited in the artwork of the goddess. You can often tell the difference between Roman depictions and Greek depictions by looking and seeing if she is representing a single thing (such as hunting) or multiple things (such as hunting and the moon). Later interpretations take after the Roman tradition of combining the goddess' duties and many get back to the earthy, new-age aspect of the goddess. But still, all in all, these are subtle differences and she is generally the same in both cultures.

diana2.jpg

"Free! In the green, in the gladwood leaping like a deer who fears no hunter. There I will dance with no men watching, There I will find wisdom written in the forest shadows. Is there any gift greater than feeling such joy?"
- Song of a Maenad from "Bacchae", by Euripides