Votive stele to Artemis-Eileithyia, late 4th- early 3rd century B.C

A young mother is making a thank-offering to Artemis-Eileithyia, protector of women during labour. A senior woman is holding a pyxis (jewellery 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 procceeds 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. Unique is the representation of the clothes and shoes the young mother wore during the birth and which are dedicated to the goddess. These details prove that the cult of Artemis in ancient Echinos had close affinities to that in Brauron in Attica. From (Achinos) Ancient Echinos (late 4th- early 3rd century B.C)