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On being a virgin
We are talking about Athena, Artemis, and Hestia here, folks: the Three Virgin Goddesses. At the risk of presenting a depressingly simplistic argument, I’m gonna do my best to give you a starting point for thinking about these things. Remember, now, that ancient Greece was a pretty patriarchal collection of cultures.
So the thing these ladies had in common was that they weren’t interested in having sex with men - but beyond that they were quite different. Athena was kinda butchy with her interest in war and adventure. The perfect daughter (at least for a patriarch) she owed all of her allegiance to Daddy and that would never change because no husband - or even a mama, in her case - would compete for her attention. As a virgin, she represented an ideal of daughter-hood.
Artemis, on the other hand, was super hot. Tomboy? Sure, but in a sexy sort of way. She ran around in her short little skirt hunting deer, she bathed naked in woodland streams and ponds, she was the sort of untouchable beauty you might “flay the flayed dog” to late at night. But just as virginal daughters were supposed to be attractive but off limits until the deal was sealed with a wedding, so too was Artemis off limits. This stage - tight-bodied virginal beauty - is perfectly represented by the goddess.
And finally, Hestia. Dear Hestia. She was a virgin, but only because the alternative seemed so darn complicated. She represents the perfect homemaker. The problem with women is that once they’re sexually active, you can’t tell WHO they’ve slept with. Also, who knows whether a mother’s allegiance will be to her children or her husband (dangerous for a patriarch - see Rhea). And what about her familial obligations to her father? Hestia circumvents all of these issues. She is literally the hearth, the center of the home, and her virginity is an example of the problematic role that women played in such a patriarchal culture.
COVER UP BODY PARTS!!
Comment by hagi — March 10, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
hey, in the “artemis, goddess of the hunt” section, u have a sub-title calles artemis’ bad side. in the last sentence u use “his” it should be “her.” awesome pick
As a matter of fact, I was talking about Actaeon’s hounds, so I really did mean ‘his” - but thanks for looking out for me!
Comment by dontflunkme — April 9, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
That was awsolme and I’m sure My teacher will Love my paper now that I actually have some more information about the Virgin Goddesses.
Comment by Mrs. Chris Wifie — April 16, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
cool….but i need information about the gods that are important to the spartans…
do u know anything about that??
thx!
Comment by Janella — April 29, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
luv da boobies and virginia dont cover em up
Comment by artemis fan — April 30, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
cmon guys be more mature. if your gonna post somthing like “cover up body parts” then dont post. same goes for you artemis fan. go satisfy yourself elseware…this is mythology not porn
Comment by ishouldntcarebut... — July 8, 2008 @ 12:39 am
hey show more tits & viginas. cmon we want more porn to make mythology more fun!!
Comment by sexy lez — July 31, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
You people are perves! the human body is an art form, not something to get all pervy about! You obviously have no sence in art or history! I’m fricken 15 and i have more respect for history and art than you people do!
Comment by *Tink* — August 22, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
omg rleayy you guys are pervveesss. come to this website if you want to learn not to jake of to a picture of a girll with fake boobs horney idots
Comment by homework — September 23, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
lol look at that fawn staring at artemis!
Comment by Nicole — February 27, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
u idiots if u dont have anythin cool to say about this then freaken back the hell off!!!!!!!!!!! this is art not porn like some of da people say. so back off jerk offs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by LUNA1 — March 28, 2009 @ 2:36 am
I have seen worse stuff than the picture in skool (im twelve). Im being Athena in a play (I wrote) and im trying to learn about her… lol I have to make aeigis!
Comment by Joe Bob — April 1, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
i like the detail but i would like a little more substance reading wise in your hestia
Comment by babyface — April 7, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
This was a awsome review and got what i need for information on Athena (My favorite Goddess among the greek goddess). Thanxz
Comment by Allison — May 28, 2009 @ 9:09 am
Atremis roks and so does Athena but does anyone really care about Hestia? I’m doing a report on Athena so this is great info. Ps Stop posting crud about the human body
Comment by Star — October 20, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
what the hell are you doing cover your boobs or delete this damn picture theres childern that looked on this sight.
Comment by darian — October 24, 2009 @ 8:44 am