Diana
Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and wild places, identified with the Greek Artemis
The Myth of Diana
Diana was one of the most widely worshipped deities across the Roman world. Her great sanctuary at Lake Nemi, the "Mirror of Diana," was one of the most atmospheric sacred sites in Italy — its priest, the Rex Nemorensis, gained office by killing his predecessor in ritual combat. Diana was the protector of slaves, the lower classes, and women in childbirth, giving her a popular following that outlasted most pagan cults. As a moon goddess, she was syncretised with Luna and Hecate, forming a triple deity. Her worship at Ephesus, inherited from Artemis, produced one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The month of August was once associated with her festivals.
Parents
Jupiter and Latona
Symbols
Fun Fact
The priest of Diana at Lake Nemi could only take office by killing the previous priest in single combat
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Hecate
⚡ godGoddess of crossroads, magic, and the moon
A powerful Titan goddess associated with crossroads, doorways, magic, witchcraft, and the night. Hecate was one of the few Titans honored by Zeus after the Titanomachy.
Luna
⚡ godMoon, night, cycles
Roman goddess of the moon, equivalent to the Greek Selene
Hecate
⚡ godGoddess of crossroads, magic, and the liminal
The triple-formed goddess of crossroads, sorcery, and the boundaries between worlds — honoured by Zeus above all other deities.
Selene
⚡ godTitaness of the moon
Selene was the Titaness who drove the silver chariot of the moon across the night sky — she loved the mortal Endymion and visited him each night as he slept eternally.
Selene
⚡ godTitaness of the moon
The Titaness who personified the moon, driving her silver chariot across the night sky. She fell in love with the mortal Endymion and visited him nightly as he slept.
Artemis
⚡ godGoddess of the hunt, wilderness, the moon, childbirth
Twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt. Artemis roamed the wild forests with her band of nymphs, fiercely protecting her virginity and the natural world.
Achelois
🐉 creatureMoon, healing
Minor moon goddess or epithet meaning she who washes away pain, associated with lunar healing rites
Selene
🏔 titanTitan goddess of the moon
The Titan goddess who drove the silver chariot of the moon across the night sky, daughter of Hyperion and Theia.
Venus
⚡ godLove, beauty, desire, fertility
Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, identified with the Greek Aphrodite but also revered as ancestress of the Roman people
Trivia
⚡ godCrossroads, magic, night, the underworld
Roman goddess of crossroads and sorcery, equivalent to the Greek Hecate
Artemis
⚡ godGoddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth
The virgin huntress who roamed the wild places with her nymphs, punishing those who trespassed on her domain with lethal precision.
Hecate Trivia
⚡ godcrossroads, magic
An epithet of Hecate as goddess of crossroads and three-way intersections, where offerings were left at night to appease her and the restless dead.