Hunters of Artemis

Hunters of Artemis are chaste maidens, usually but not limited to human, demigod or nymph, that have sworn loyalty to Artemis. They are gifted with excellent ranged capabilities and hunting skills, along with not getting old (they keep this immortality unless they are slain in battle or break their oath), and immensely enjoy hunting and being at Artemis' side. They are, however, sworn to be a Hunter forever and to be chaste. Because of this, many of the Hunters had a great contempt for males, and dread even traveling with them (as seen in The Titan's Curse).

If a Hunter falls in love or falls in battle, she will become mortal again. The Hunters reflect the Vestial Virgins of Ancient Rome and it is possible that they are to be their Roman counterpart.

Known Hunters



 * Artemis
 * Zoë Nightshade (lieutenant, deceased)
 * Bianca di Angelo (deceased)
 * Thalia Grace (lieutenant)
 * Phoebe

Special Powers and Items
The Hunters have a silvery aura, and are stronger and faster than the average human/demigod/nymph. They carry magic bows, arrows and a hunting knife. They are immortal unless they fall in battle, or break their oath. If a hunter falls in love she must either resist the temptation or break her oath. Falling in love isn't breaking the oath but not keeping her "maidenhood" is.

Oath
If a maiden wants to become a Hunter, she must recite an oath. Once Artemis agrees to that oath, it is binding and now that Hunter must live by it.

Oath:

I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis

I turn my back on the company of men,

Accept eternal maidenhood

And join the Hunt.

The Titan's Curse
The Hunters appear at the beginning of the book, saving Percy and his friends from a Manticore, Dr. Thorn, though they were too late to save Annabeth. The Hunters set up camp, and Artemis interviews Percy and Bianca about what the manticore (Dr. Thorn) said to them. She immediately realizes something evil is stirring and that she must hunt it. Zoësays that the Hunters will set out immediately, but Artemis refuses, saying that the task is too dangerous for anyone but a goddess. She tells Zoë that the Hunters must go to Camp Half-Blood while she is away, and that she will get a ride for them from her brother. Zoë protests that the Hunters hate Camp Half-Blood, and we learn that the last time they were there, several cabins burned down. Dionysus apparently blames the Hunters; Zoë insists it was "foolish campers" who were to blame.

When Apollo arrives, he greets Artemis by calling her his "lil' sis". Sibling bickerings occur, until Apollo begins greeting others. This conversation reveals how deeply Artemis cares for her Hunters, when Apollo, saying, "I hate it when pretty girls get turned into trees. Man, there was this one time-" makes an illusion to Daphne (An old Greek legend about a huntress of Artemis who Apollo fell in love with; she was turned into a laurel.). Artemis is apparently still upset about it.

It also reveals the depth of the hatred many Hunters have for boys; when Apollo offers to help Zoë with her pack, saying "Here, sweetheart, let me help you with that", she responds by "recoiling, her eyes flashing murderously," and Artemis is forced to intervene. When they finally get Apollo to focus (sort of) and get everyone loaded onto the "sun bus", the Hunters pile into the bus "as far away as possible from Apollo and the rest of us highly infectious males", as Percy notices.

The Hunters are the only people who are allowed to stay in Artemis' cabin. Whenever the hunters come to Camp Half-Blood there is a traditional, not-so-friendly game of Capture the Flag. During this game of Capture the Flag, the oracle walks down from the attic and personally gives the Hunters (specifically Zoë) a quest. Zoë, Bianca, Thalia, Grover, and Percy go on a quest to go search for Artemis, who is in trouble.

At the end of the book, Zoë perished at the hand of her father, Atlas, when she leapt between him and Artemis to save her goddess' life. Artemis loved her so much that when Zoë died, she placed her in the sky as a constellation. Bianca di Angelo was also one of those who died during their quest to find Artemis. Thalia joined the Hunters after their quest, so she could avoid the prophecy by never turning sixteen.

The Last Olympian
In the Battle of Manhattan Percy finds himself short due to all the Demigods of Ares' cabin staying behind. Just then Thalia leads the Hunters to help. Many are lost in the battle, but if they hadn't joined in, the battle would have been lost.

The Lost Hero
The Hunters were first mentioned as helping to find the missing Percy. They were later seen helping Jason, Piper, and Leo on their quest. They attacked the Wolves, though Khione interfered by freezing them all. They are later saved by Hera. Thalia gives Piper a business card, saying that the hunters can use someone like her. Near the end of the book, Piper throws the card into the fire at camp, as she wasn't interested.