Votive stele to Artemis Eileithyia

Votive stele to Artemis (Eileithyia – Locheia), from Achinos (Echinos), end of the 4th – beginning of the 3rd century BCE. Lamia Museum AE 1041

“A young mother is making a thank-offering to Artemis-Eileithyia, protector of women during labor. A senior woman is holding a pyxis (jewelry case). She is perhaps the mother, or mother-in-law of the young woman. A servant girl is following with a tray of offerings: grapes, apples, pomegranates, honey-sweets. The young mother proceeds holding the infant for the goddess’s inspection. A servant follows leading the sacrificial bull to the altar of the goddess. Artemis is turned to the adorants and holds a torch- a symbol the chthonic character of deities.