Artemida (, until 1977 ''Loutsa'', ) is an Eastern suburb of
Athens
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality
Spata-Artemida, of which it is a municipal unit.
The municipal unit has an area of 18.653 km
2.
History
The city was named after the ancient goddess
Artemis
In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, Artemis (; ) is the goddess of the hunting, hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, transitions, nature, vegetation, childbirth, Kourotrophos, care of children, and chastity. In later tim ...
. The
Temple of Artemis Brauron was among the most important sacred sites in the ancient times. Vravrona (or Brauron), about 20 km from
Athens
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
, was one of the 12 towns of
Attica
Attica (, ''Attikḗ'' (Ancient Greek) or , or ), or the Attic Peninsula, is a historical region that encompasses the entire Athens metropolitan area, which consists of the city of Athens, the capital city, capital of Greece and the core cit ...
that was united to Athens by
Theseus
Theseus (, ; ) was a divine hero in Greek mythology, famous for slaying the Minotaur. The myths surrounding Theseus, his journeys, exploits, and friends, have provided material for storytelling throughout the ages.
Theseus is sometimes desc ...
.
The ancient temple of Artemis is of
Doric style and flourished in the 5th-4th century B.C. According to a myth, this is the temple where
Iphigeneia was brought by her brother
Orestes, when they met in the land of
Tauris, where she served as a priestess in a local temple of Artemis. Iphigeneia had been transferred to Tauris by goddess Artemis herself, when she saved her from the sacrifice in
Aulis. Returning to Greece, Iphigeneia brought with her a wooden statue of Artemis from Tauris.
Geography
Artemida is located on the
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Asia. It is located between the Balkans and Anatolia, and covers an area of some . In the north, the Aegean is connected to the Marmara Sea, which in turn con ...
coast, in the eastern part of the
Attica
Attica (, ''Attikḗ'' (Ancient Greek) or , or ), or the Attic Peninsula, is a historical region that encompasses the entire Athens metropolitan area, which consists of the city of Athens, the capital city, capital of Greece and the core cit ...
peninsula. It lies 5 km south of
Rafina, 8 km east of
Spata, 9 km north of
Porto Rafti and 25 km east of
Athens
Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
city centre.
Greek National Road 85 (Rafina - Lavrio) passes through the town.
Historical population
See also
*
List of municipalities of Attica
References
{{Spata-Artemida div
Spata-Artemida
Populated places in East Attica