Hymns to the Earth, Artemis, Hera, and the Mother of the Gods Summary

"The Hymn to the Earth"

In this hymn, the poet refers to the earth as "the mother of us all" and praises the earth for her sacredness and her eternal nourishment of humanity. He describes how her blessings manifest in male wisdom, female beauty, the youth and joy of children - "fortune, wealth, it all follows."

"The Hymn to Artemis" and "The Second Hymn to Artemis"

The first is an introduction to the second and longer hymn, which describes Artemis' powerful, remorseless skill at hunting with violent references to the power of her bow juxtaposed with images of her beauty, and of her graceful dancing at the home of her brother when the hunt is over.

"The Hymn to Hera" and...