She Who Hunts: Artemis: The Goddess Who Changed the World

by Carla Ionescu

Filled with examples of ritual, symbolism and an extensive collection of Artemis myths and folklore, this work is a comprehensive compilation of all things Artemis, and her fundamental role in the communal, political and ritual development of the Greco-Roman world. The goddess of the hunt is more than just a virgin in the woods. Her worship can be traced to a time before the Minoans, and her rituals include all facets of the human experience, starting from birth rituals to rites of passage, to death and beyond. Her protection for those who honour her is all encompassing, her vengeance for those who cross her is swift and fatal.
While classic scholars focused mostly on Olympian deities such as Apollo, Athena, Zeus and Dionysius, this book provides vivid and detailed evidence that the goddess Artemis has been underrated for much too long. Dr. Ionescu's work is a labour of love and research, born out of her long-standing certainty that Artemis was the most prevalent and influential goddess of the Mediterranean.

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology, Goddess, Spirituality

128 pages, Hardcover

Published March 18, 2022

Reviews

[Sharmilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thus, we see that Artemis transformed the ancient world by unifying many disparate practices across many goddess cults in a wide variety of regions, and by providing comfort to millions as they experienced different stages of life: birth, adulthood, marriage, old age, and death. She was the goddess for all generations, for all cultures, and in many ways her worship allowed for spiritual connections through a deep and instinctive understanding of nature and its transformative experience. She was as ever-changing and adaptive as the seasons, and as a result, her worship survived all cultural conquests and varying ritual interpretations.

Great in-depth look at the history and mythology surrounding the worship of the intriguing goddess Artemis, who I've loved and been fascinated by since I was a little girl. I learned so much about the stories and rituals associated with her, as well as gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of her many beautiful epithets. Definitely recommend for fans of this wild, incredible goddess.

[Jelena Ristic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Carla Ionescu’s book “She Who Hunts” was a much needed read for me!

I had ‘met’ Artemis before in mythology books, and fiction and was always left wanting to learn much much more. “She Who Hunts” is not only a comprehensive guide on who Artemis is, but a wonderfully supported argument about how she has been marginalized throughout history and in mythological writings as a ‘lesser goddess’ when in fact her scope, realm and influence reach far and wide beyond more well known and celebrated goddesses such as Athena and Aphrodite. In short, she is just as majestic, important and powerful, in human life and perhaps even more influential in understanding the nature of existence itself, than the more popular goddesses we’ve heard far more about.

For me personally, because ever since taking mythology in university and reading the works of Homer, Aeschylus and Euripides, I have strongly felt mythology has lain the first foundations for psychology as an attempt to understand archetypal human characters, I have been left wanting to know much much more about Artemis. Who is/was she? What archetype was she meant to represent in the past and in modern times and terms?

“She Who Hunts” answered all my questions completely not only academically, but personally regarding Artemis.

Mythology is of course deeply spiritual and knowing that there is a goddess ‘out there’ who represents me and others like me far more completely and closely than Athena or Aphrodite, Hera or Demeter made me feel more ‘at home’ in the universe.

Dr. Ionescu also has the crucial gift of being able to write a fully academic and well supported work in a way that is fully accessible also to any reader. She writes with reverence, respect and even tenderness bringing Artemis to life with excerpts from literature and poetry while also fully academically supporting a much more important place for Artemis in the Pantheon of Greek Mythology.

[Maan Kawas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well- researched, informative book about the Goddess Artemis, her roots, traits, symbolism, and rituals. I found it excellent and so engaging. I highly recommend.

[Angell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, if a bit simplistic, academic text compiling the vastly different depictions of Artemis across antiquity. A few of the assumptions and connections are made with quite a lot of presumption and interpretation that don’t necessarily seem that solid, but a good collection of information.

[holly gc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fab read for anyone who loves Artemis. So so much detail in the history of the goddess, and her religion. And even links to Dionysus somehow- very happy.

[Dorian Moreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful overview of classical and secondary sources, showing that Artemis is more than she seems. Would have loved to have some discussion about how some of the imagery ties into Goddesses older than Egypt, building up on the Cybele link, and extending into ancient Mesopotamia.

[Zenobia Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book on Artemis was fascinating! I bought it as soon as I heard about it. I’ve always been drawn to She of the Silver Bow, the Mistress of Wild Things and it was so great to do a deep dive into the great goddess’s history, including her connections to ancient Egypt and Crete. I particularly enjoyed reading about Artemis’s connection to initiation rites and how her symbolism was changed by the Greeks. I have a feeling I’ll enjoy reading it again and again.

[Kelly J Applegate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triumph. And Carla is a real gem!

[Karen Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the plethora of fictional reworkings of mythology around female goddesses and figures from Ancient Greece (which, generally I have devoured with gusto), this non-fiction exploration of Artemis was a must-read. Since childhood spend wandering freely in Epping Forest, Artemis has always been an obsession of mine, a draw to be that woman free of constraints of male influence!
I actually bought the book at the time it was published yet took months until I finally read it! It is based on Dr Carla Ionescu’s research and focusses on the Greek Artemis (her book on the Ephesian Artemis is apparently to come). It is written with reference to primary sources yet is not too academic to put off someone who is not a classist. It is therefore not only accessible but highlights the author’s passion for the goddess, enabling the reader to understand the origins and breadth of the goddess’s worship far beyond the Greek world. Thoroughly enjoyed it, have started to listen to The Goddess Podcast by the author and look forward to more of her written work.

[Ode O. Siegers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carla Ionescu’s She Who Hunts offers a profound exploration of Artemis, weaving mythology, history, and cultural anthropology into a cohesive narrative that is both enlightening and thought-provoking. Ionescu goes beyond the well-known depictions of Artemis as the virginal huntress of Greek mythology, delving into her roots as a multifaceted deity with connections to earlier mother goddesses. This perspective not only broadens the scope of understanding Artemis but also positions her within the rich, interconnected framework of ancient belief systems. I can’t wait for her second book release on Ephesian Artemis.

[K. M. Bourque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some surprises in this in-depth book

Like many others who have come across a five-sentence description of Artemis and thought She is just the Happy Hunting Maiden, I thought I knew what I needed about Artemis. This book proved me wrong in so many ways! It was so in-depth and well-researched. I have a much deeper respect for Artemis now. I would love to learn how those who honor the Divine Female can explore how to properly honor this "international" goddess. Thanks for a great book!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t impressed with the book in the beginning. The way the author wrote and how she quoted people without almost never giving ANY information about the people she was quoting from put me off, at first. I started the book thinking I was going to give it 3 stars. What saved this book from that rating was the information provided. Despite it being only a hundred pages, I learned so much about Artemis and other characters in mythologies that I had no idea about.
Will I read another book from this author? Most likely not, but I have no regrets reading this book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for two days during a school assembly, It was an easy to read short book on Artemis! This is a good introduction to her significance in the ancient religion! A lot of info about her was always put to the side so I'm very grateful for this book!

[Isabel Davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history lesson, the references to classical myths, and the prayers interspersed made this little book a fun, stimulating read about the depth and scope of Artemis worship in the ancient world, which I was unaware of and grateful to come into knowing.

[Samantha Nowatzke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what to expect & this was more of a thesis that the historical narrative I thought it would be. Did learn a few things but would have liked it more flushed out.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of the history of Artemis and her worship through history and in various cultures, but it left me wanting more! I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Allie Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly researched and informative. Best Artemis book I've read.

[Connie Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh

[Stephen Ede-Borrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly not the easiest book to read (due to its origins as a thesis I suspect) but an interesting and persuasive text, the result of very extensive research. Excellent study

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artemis is one of my favorite Goddesses of the Greek Pantheon. This book was informative and knowledgeable. Good addition to my library.

[Patricia Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good, well-researched book to give you a good feel for the various aspects of the goddess Artemis.