Artemis /

This volume on the goddess Artemis in the series "Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World" examines the goddess's myths, rituals, and iconography from a historicist perspective, emphasizing primary documents and their historical contexts. Early chapters review Artemis' origins in Bronze Age goddesses, the spread of her cult through the process of syncretism, and her mythological biography. The core of the study focuses on the goddess's associations: the wilderness, children, women, and cruelty. Final chapters outline less prominent connections and the modern reception of Artemis, including a discussion of Katniss as an Artemis-like figure in The Hunger Games novels. Although principally writing for undergraduates, historian Budin (Univ. of Oregon) not only surveys the current scholarship but also argues for revisions; most compellingly, that Artemis was not associated with warfare, and that the evidence claimed for that view is from the Roman period, or is methodologically flawed. While rigorous, the volume remains clear and approachable: all Greek is translated; arguments based on Greek language are judiciously chosen and lucid. An important book for collections supporting study of mythology, religion, and literature, and likely to appeal to a broader audience. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic levels/libraries. --Paul E. Ojennus, Whitworth University