Diana

Description

Diana, an important goddess of ancient Italy, has sometimes been misunderstood as a mere borrowing from Greece, an Italic version of Artemis, but in fact she is very much more.

Diana is a goddess of many contrasts and contrasting functions: a virgin who supervises both motherhood and the origins of life, and death; a deity connected with the most intimate moments of feminine life, who also presides over political leagues of cities, and who is served at one major sanctuary by a priest with violent and bloody origins.

Despite her importance, Diana has not received comprehensive treatment in print however; this book provides a remarkable and comprehensive portrayal of the deity.

Contents

Why Diana? Introducing Diana Key Themes 1. Origins and myths 2.Functions and attributes 3. Festivals and sanctuaries of the goddess 4. Diana at Nemi 5. The goddess in ancient literature and art Diana Afterwards 6. Reception and interpretation Further reading Works Cited Index