Actaeon was a passionate hunter who roamed the woods daily. The goddess Artemis, when weary from the hunt, would often bathe in a secluded mountain spring.
One afternoon, exhausted from his pursuits and searching for water, Actaeon stumbled upon the very spring where Artemis was bathing. He was shocked to discover the goddess.
Enraged and beyond appeasement, Artemis splashed water into the hunter's face. The moment the droplets touched him, Actaeon was transformed into a stag. At that instant, he heard the barking of his own pack of fifty hunting dogs approaching. Seized with terror, he immediately fled. The dogs, driven into a frenzy by the goddess, pursued him relentlessly.
Actaeon ran as fast as he could but was soon out of breath, certain of his impending death. He collapsed to the ground, making no further effort to rise. The dogs closed in on their former master and tore him to pieces.