britomArtis

(Sweet Virgin) Greek An an-cient Cretan deity, later said to be a daughter of the god Zeus. A huntress, Britomartis pursued wild beasts in the forests of Crete. King Minos of Crete fell in love with her and pursued her for nine months though she always fled to avoid his advances. Finally Britomartis flung herself off a cliff into the sea, but fishermen caught her in a net and rescued her. She escaped to the island of Aegina, where she was given the name Dictynna (Lady of the Nets). The goddess Artemis (also a virgin huntress) rewarded her chastity by making her immortal. Legends say that Britomartis appears at night to navigators to guide them. In Greek mythology, Dictynna-Britomartis is called the Cretan Artemis.