The Fate of Eileithyia

Artemis

This thread follows Eileithyia from imprisonment by Hera to the later act of compassion that helps Callisto give birth.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Goddess’s Duty A Goddess’s Duty from "Artemis". The Midwife Speaks A Professional Obligation Eileithyia tells Hera that aiding women in labor is her duty.

A Goddess’s Duty from "Artemis". The Midwife Speaks A Professional Obligation Eileithyia tells Hera that aiding women in labor is her duty.

The Midwife Speaks A Professional Obligation Eileithyia tells Hera that aiding women in labor is her duty. Her position puts her care for mothers against her mother’s private vengeance. Resistance She protests as Hera restrains and drags her through the palace. The conflict makes her role more than a title: she tries to act on its demands.

Locked Away Locked Away from "Artemis". The Captive Midwife Hera’s Threat Hera insists that humanity may suffer if that is what it takes to punish Leto.

Locked Away from "Artemis". The Captive Midwife Hera’s Threat Hera insists that humanity may suffer if that is what it takes to punish Leto.

The Captive Midwife Hera’s Threat Hera insists that humanity may suffer if that is what it takes to punish Leto. She imprisons Eileithyia to prevent assistance. Power Against Care The confinement lets Hera control one vulnerable birth by controlling its helper. Eileithyia is unable to fulfill her purpose during the twins’ arrival.

Leto’s Birth Without Her Leto’s Birth Without Her from "Artemis". Absence at the Cave The Other Goddesses Help Rhea and the accompanying goddesses support Leto through labor in a cave.

Leto’s Birth Without Her from "Artemis". Absence at the Cave The Other Goddesses Help Rhea and the accompanying goddesses support Leto through labor in a cave.

Absence at the Cave The Other Goddesses Help Rhea and the accompanying goddesses support Leto through labor in a cave. Their effort partly fills the space Eileithyia’s imprisonment has created. A Missed Duty Artemis helps deliver Apollo, but Eileithyia cannot attend the family’s defining crisis. Her confinement demonstrates the reach and cost of Hera’s control.

Aid for Callisto Aid for Callisto from "Artemis". Compassion in the Woods Finding the Bear Eileithyia approaches Callisto after Hera has transformed her and Artemis has driven her away.

Aid for Callisto from "Artemis". Compassion in the Woods Finding the Bear Eileithyia approaches Callisto after Hera has transformed her and Artemis has driven her away.

Compassion in the Woods Finding the Bear Eileithyia approaches Callisto after Hera has transformed her and Artemis has driven her away. She cannot shield the nymph from Artemis’s anger. A Narrow Help She offers to assist with the child and remains with Callisto as labor approaches. Her care finally fulfills the midwife’s vocation in a place beyond the palace.

The Birth Attended The Birth Attended from "Artemis". A Return to Her Calling Assistance Given Eileithyia helps Callisto give birth to Arcas in the forest cave.

The Birth Attended from "Artemis". A Return to Her Calling Assistance Given Eileithyia helps Callisto give birth to Arcas in the forest cave.

A Return to Her Calling Assistance Given Eileithyia helps Callisto give birth to Arcas in the forest cave. The act contrasts directly with her forced absence at Leto’s delivery. Quiet Restoration She names the child and helps ensure his future among human beings. Her arc moves from helpless captivity to meaningful, if limited, care.

As Leto enters labor

Before Artemis and Apollo are born

During the twins’ delivery on Delos

The morning after Callisto escapes

During Callisto’s labor in the cave