Editing Patmos (section)

===The birth of Patmos according to Greek mythology===

According to a [[legend]] in [[Greek mythology]], the island's original name was "Letois", after the goddess and huntress of deer, [[Artemis]], daughter of [[Leto]]. It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention.

Artemis frequently paid visits to [[Caria]], the mainland across the shore from Patmos, where she had a shrine on [[Mount Latmus]]. There she met the moon goddess [[Selene]], who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

Selene was always trying to get Artemis to bring the sunken island to the surface and hence to life. Selene finally convinced Artemis, who then gained her brother [[Apollo]]'s help to persuade [[Zeus]] to allow the island to rise from the sea.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

Zeus agreed, and the island emerged from the water. The sun dried up the land and brought life to it. Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it "Letois" in honour of Artemis.<ref>[http://www.patmos.gr/index.asp Patmos – official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915161648/http://www.patmos.gr/index.asp |date=15 September 2008 }} Legendary folk tales and mythology. Retrieved on 4 September 2008.</ref>[[File:Jacopo vignali, san giovanni evangelista a patmos.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''John the Apostle on Patmos'', a 17th-century painting by [[Jacopo Vignali]].]]