Statue of Artemis-Hecate or Muse

myminifactory

This sculpture is remarkably incomplete, making it extremely challenging to determine exactly who or what the sculpture represents. It could possibly be an Artemis-Hecate or simply a Muse. Hecate was a goddess known for haunting crossroads, graveyards, and wielding power over sorcery and witchcraft. She roamed freely at night, often unseen by mortals until dogs would bark to signal her presence. In contrast, Artemis was revered as the goddess of wild animals, hunting, and vegetation, with attributes that included chastity and childbirth. Notably, references to both Artemis-Hecate can be found in the works of Euripedes's Seven Against Thebes. Furthermore, the worship and depiction of these two goddesses showed a striking degree of overlap. It is also entirely possible that the sculpture portrays one of the Nine Muses. These muses have been an enduring source of inspiration for artists since ancient times. In Greek mythology, they are comprised of nine daughters: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania - all offspring of Zeus, the supreme deity of the Greeks, and Mnemosyne.