What is so special about the temple of Artemis?
“Designed by the architect Chersiphron, with many of the Ionic columns erected at the expense of Croesus (Herodotus, I.92), the fabulously wealthy king of Lydia (ruled 560-546 BC), the Temple of Artemis (Artemisium) at Ephesus was the first to be entirely of marble and one of the largest Greek temples ever built, measuring some 377 feet in length and 180 feet wide (larger by twenty feet on a side than a football field). It was constructed on marshy ground so as not to be in danger from ...
How many times did the temple of Artemis get rebuilt?
The temple was destroyed by invading Goths in 262 ce and was never rebuilt. Beside above, why was the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus destroyed? The first temple was destroyed in the 7th century. Reconstruction began in 550 BC. It took about 10 years to rebuild it.
Is Temple of Artemis Seven Wonders of the world?
You may wonder why the Temple of Artemis (Artemision) is one of the Seven Wonders of the world. In ancient times, historians agreed that the Temple of Artemis was one of the marvels of their time. Temple of Artemis was the most beautiful of all 7 wonders.
Who was worshiped at the temple of Artemis?
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- Artemis. For ancient Greeks, Artemis (also known as the Roman goddess Diana), the twin sister of Apollo , was the athletic, healthy, virgin goddess of hunting and wild animals, often ...
- The First Temple of Artemis. The first Temple of Artemis was built in a marshy area long held sacred by locals. ...
- Arson. ...
- The Second Temple of Artemis. ...
- Swampy Ruins. ...
How was the Temple of Artemis constructed?
According to Pliny the Elder, the architect of the temple of Croesus Theodoros of Samos found the solution. He had the idea of installing a substrate made of a mixture of sand and coal on a bed of animal skins. This substrate made it possible to fix the ground to make the foundations.
How long is the Temple of Artemis?
According to Pliny the Elder in his Natural History (36.97), the temple measured 129.5 metres (425 ft) in length and was 68.6 metres (225 ft) wide, almost double the size of the 5th-century BCE Parthenon at Athens (69.5 x 30.9 m). It had 127 columns which were 18.3 metres (60 ft) high and 1.2 metres (4 ft) in diameter.
When was the Temple of Artemis first built?
about 550 bceTemple of Artemis, also called Artemesium, temple at Ephesus, now in western Turkey, that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The great temple was built by Croesus, king of Lydia, about 550 bce and was rebuilt after being burned by a madman named Herostratus in 356 bce.
Is the Temple of Artemis still standing?
The temple of Artemis is located in Selcuk, Turkey. It's also known as the Temple of Diana. It's a Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. This temple is no longer standing, and we can only speculate what the different structures on site looked like.
How long did the reconstruction of the Temple of Artemis last?
This reconstruction survived for 600 years, and appears multiple times in early Christian accounts of Ephesus. According to the New Testament, the appearance of the first Christian missionary in Ephesus caused locals to fear for the temple's dishonor. The 2nd-century Acts of John includes an apocryphal tale of the temple's destruction: the apostle John prayed publicly in the Temple of Artemis, exorcising its demons and "of a sudden the altar of Artemis split in many pieces... and half the temple fell down," instantly converting the Ephesians, who wept, prayed or took flight.
Why was the Temple of Artemis important?
The temple became an important attraction, visited by merchants, kings, and sightseers, many of whom paid homage to Artemis in the form of jewelry and various goods. It also offered sanctuary to those fleeing persecution or punishment, a tradition linked in myth to the Amazons who twice fled there seeking the goddess's protection from punishment, firstly by Dionysus and later, by Heracles .
What was Artemis' contribution to the Greek world?
Artemis' shrines, temples and festivals ( Artemisia) could be found throughout the Greek world, but Ephesian Artemis was unique. The Ephesians considered her theirs, and resented any foreign claims to her protection. Once Persia ousted and replaced their Lydian overlord Croesus, the Ephesians played down his contribution to the temple's restoration. On the whole, the Persians dealt fairly with Ephesus, but removed some religious artifacts from Artemis' Temple to Sardis and brought Persian priests into her Ephesian cult; this was not forgiven. When Alexander conquered the Persians, his offer to finance the temple's second rebuilding was politely but firmly refused. Ephesian Artemis lent her city's diplomacy a powerful religious edge.
Where is the Temple of Artemis?
It was located in Ephesus (near the modern town of Selçuk in present-day Turkey ).
What evidence did Ephesia have of Ephesia's power?
The wealth and splendor of temple and city were taken as evidence of Artemis Ephesia's power, and were the basis for her local and international prestige: despite the successive traumas of Temple destruction, each rebuilding – a gift and honor to the goddess – brought further prosperity.
What happened to the temple in 356 BC?
In 356 BC, the temple was destroyed in a vainglorious act of arson by a man, Herostratus, who set fire to the wooden roof-beams, seeking fame at any cost; thus the term herostratic fame. For this outrage, the Ephesians sentenced the perpetrator to death and forbade anyone from mentioning his name; but Theopompus later noted it. In Greek and Roman historical tradition, the temple's destruction coincided with the birth of Alexander the Great (around 20/21 July 356 BC). Plutarch remarked that Artemis was too preoccupied with Alexander's delivery to save her burning temple.
What is the artemision deposit?
A rich foundation deposit from this era, also called the "Artemision deposit", yielded more than a thousand items, including what may be the earliest coins made from the silver-gold alloy electrum. The deposit contains some of the earliest inscribed coins, those of Phanes, dated to 625–600 BC from Ephesus, with the legend ΦΑΕΝΟΣ ΕΜΙ ΣΗΜΑ (or similar) (“I am the badge/sign/tomb of Phanes/light”), or just bearing the name ΦΑΝΕΟΣ (“of Phanes”).
Where is the Temple of Artemis?
Temple of Artemis, also called Artemesium, temple at Ephesus, now in western Turkey, that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The great temple was built by Croesus, king of Lydia, about 550 bce and was rebuilt after being burned by a madman named Herostratus in 356 bce. The Artemesium was famous not only for its great size, ...
What is the statue of Artemis made of?
The original statue was made of gold, ebony, silver, and black stone.
How big was the Artemesium?
The Artemesium was famous not only for its great size, over 350 by 180 feet (about 110 by 55 metres), but also for the magnificent works of art that adorned it. The temple was destroyed by invading Goths in 262 ce and was never rebuilt.
Why is the Temple of Artemis so important?
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus served as well as a market place and a cult place for the goddess Artemis which was the divinity of the fertility, the Earth, the moon and the animals. This last sanctuary sheltered the statues of Artemis and Zeus where these gods were worshipped by the Greek population.
What happened at the Temple of Artemis?
The temple was destroyed by invading Goths in 262 ce and was never rebuilt.
How long did it take to build the temple of Olympian Zeus?
The Temple of Olympian Zeus took almost 650 years to build. It dominates a huge archaeological site below the Acropolis in Central Athens and was once the largest temple in the ancient world.
Why did the Goths destroy the Temple of Artemis?
Plutarch remarked that Artemis was too preoccupied with Alexander’s delivery to save her burning temple.
Why is Ephesus famous?
Ephesus was an ancient port city whose well-preserved ruins are in modern-day Turkey. The city was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. Throughout history, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors.
What does Goddess Diana look like?
Typically clad in a short tunic, Diana is sometimes depicted as going barefoot, or wearing simple buckskin foot coverings, as was the style of Roman huntresses. Often, she is accompanied by maidens, deer, and hounds.
Does Zeus have a temple?
The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was an ancient Greek temple in Olympia, Greece, dedicated to the god Zeus. Temple of Zeus, Olympia.
Where is the Temple of Artemis?
It is located in Selçuk, Turkey, near the Aegean Sea, in a territory once dominated by the Greek Empire. This building has been placed on the list of the seven wonders of the World by virtue of its size ...
Why was marble used in the temple of Artemis?
The answer is simple: Precisely because it is rare, marble was considered a precious material, so that was appropriate to build a temple to Artemis. Moreover, there was a political notion behind it: The city of Samos, which had built a temple shortly before, did not use it, by using it in Ephesus the inhabitants stood over their rivals in terms of architectural achievement, and that was an important point. Finally, and it is a contingency contest, it seems that a quarry was discovered near Ephesus shortly before the beginning of the construction. A stroke of luck that allowed the manufacturers to use this material when it was not originally planned.
What problem would arise if a quarry had been found near Ephesus?
Even if a quarry had been found near Ephesus, the problem of block transport of several tons arose. How to transport columns or architraves so heavy on site?
What wood was used in the Roman temple?
In these accounts he writes that the parts of the wooden temple were very worked. He mentions the use of ebony, cypress and cedar, used because they are petrol able to last.
Who found the solution to the foundation of the temple?
According to Pliny the Elder, the architect of the temple of Croesus Theodoros of Samos found the solution. He had the idea of installing a substrate made of a mixture of sand and coal on a bed of animal skins. This substrate made it possible to fix the ground to make the foundations.
How were columns pulled?
The sections of columns were simply rolled to the ground, pulled by oxen. The blocks of stone were pierced at their ends by two holes in which an axle was passed, an axle on which were fixed large wooden wheels. All that remained was to harness the oxen to advance.
How long did it take to rebuild the Temple of Artemis?
Taking this as a positive sign, the Ephesians vowed to rebuild the temple. It is unclear how long it took to rebuild, but it easily took decades.
When was the Temple of Artemis built?
The Temple of Artemis, sometimes called the Artemisium, was a huge, beautiful place of worship, that was built around 550 BCE in the rich, port city of Ephesus (located in what is now western Turkey ). When the beautiful monument was burned down 200 years later by the arsonist Herostratus in 356 BCE, the Temple of Artemis was built again, just as large but even more intricately decorated. It was this second version of the Temple of Artemis that was awarded a place among the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The Temple of Artemis was again destroyed in 262 CE when the Goths invaded Ephesus, but the second time it was not rebuilt.
What was Artemis's head covered with?
But what was most pronounced was her torso, which was covered with a large number of breasts or eggs. Artemis of Ephesus was not only the goddess of fertility, but she was also the patron deity of the city.
What was the purpose of John Turtle Wood's excavation?
In 1864, the British Museum funded John Turtle Wood to excavate the area in the hopes of finding the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. After five years of searching, Wood finally found the remains of the Temple of Artemis under 25 feet of swampy mud.
How tall was the Temple of Artemis?
The Temple of Artemis was an immense, rectangular structure made of white marble. The Temple was 350-feet long and 180-feet wide, larger than a modern, American-football field. What was truly spectacular, though, was its height.
When was the first temple built?
The first Temple of Artemis was built in a marshy area long held sacred by locals. It is believed that there was at least some sort of temple or shrine there at least as early as 800 BCE. However, when famously-rich King Croesus of Lydia conquered the area in 550 BCE, he ordered a new, larger, more magnificent temple to be built.
What is inside the Temple of Artemis?
The entire Temple was covered in beautiful carvings, including the columns, which was unusual for the time. Inside the Temple was a statue of Artemis, which is believed to have been life-sized.
When was the Temple of Artemis built?
The temple, described by ancient writers as one of the world’s Seven Wonders, was said to have been constructed shortly after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.
How big was the 3rd Temple of Artemis?
The third Temple of Artemis was even bigger, 137 meters by meters, and had over 120 columns around its portico.
What is the purpose of the Temple of Artemis?
The Temple of Artemis served not only as a holy site, but also as a type of museum at which visitors could see marvelous works of art by well-known creators. Temples and holy sites like the Temple of Artemis provided the basis of the world’s earliest tourist economies.
Why was the first Christian missionary in Ephesus supposedly controversial?
The first Christian missionary in the city supposedly caused controversy because the people of Ephesus feared the temple would be dishonored by the new god’s presence. The story of the temple’s destruction through the expulsion of its demons in the Acts of John, however, is apocryphal.
Why was Artemis' temple important?
Artemis had twice given refuse to the Amazons in legend, so her temple offered a safe haven for those forced from their homes as well. READ NEXT: Zeus and Persephone.
How big was the second Temple of Aphrodite?
The second Temple of Aphrodite is believed to have been one of the first Greek temples constructed entirely of marble. At 115 meters long and 46 meters wide, the building was a massive undertaking. The massive temple began the tradition of pilgrimage to Ephesus by worshippers of Artemis.
Why did Croesus build temples?
The construction of a temple was a costly operation that required abundant access to materials and manpower.
Who built the Temple of Artemis?
Approximately two centuries later in 550 B.C., the Temple of Artemis was rebuilt by King Croesus of Lydia. Croesus employed Cretan architect Chersiphron and his son Metagenes to design and construct the new Temple of Artemis. It measured between 350 and 377 feet long by 175 and 180 feet wide. To relate its size to modern perspective, the layout of the Temple was longer and wider than a standard size football field. The Temple of Artemis was considered the first Greek style temple to made completely of marble. It was built with more than 100 marble columns standing 40 feet high. The entire project took over 120 years to complete. The new Temple of Artemis was a popular place and the Ephesians cherished their work or art. Kings and travelers would bring gold and jewelry as they worshipped Artemis in her Temple. The temple was destroyed on July 21, 356 B.C. by Herostratus. He wanted make a name for himself, so he set the roof beams on fire, burning the temple down. Herostratus was put to death for his crime and no one was allowed to speak his name.In 323 B.C., Alexander the Great offered money to assist in rebuilding the Temple of Artemis, but the Ephesians respectfully declined his offer. Instead, they rebuilt the temple for a third time. The 3rd temple was larger than the prior two temples laying at 450 feet long by 225 feet wide and standing over 60 feet tall. The new temple had over 127 columns. In 268 A.D., the temple was partially destroyed by Goths when they raided the city. Once again the temple was rebuilt only to be completely destroyed by John the apostle when he incited and angry mob and destroyed the temple in the name of Christianity.
What did the Temple of Artemis represent?
Artemis was the twin of Apollo and daughter to Zeus and Leto. She represented abundance, hunting and all things wild. Citizens would find refuge, safety and comfort in the temple. Based on recent archeologist’s findings, evidence shows a flood destroyed the original Temple of Artemis. The original location was located in a swampy area known to flood, but the continued use of the site leads many researchers to believe the ground to be sacred.
Where is Ephesus today?
The city of Ephesus was one of the largest Greek port cities located on the west coast of Asia Minor. Its current location is in modern day Turkey. During the Roman occupation of Ephesus, the city swelled to over 250,000 people, making it the 2nd largest city in the Roman Empire and the world.
Overview
Third phase
Alexander offered to pay for the temple's rebuilding; the Ephesians tactfully refused, saying "it would be improper for one god to build a temple to another", and eventually rebuilt it after his death, at their own expense. Work started in 323 BC and continued for many years. The third temple was larger than the second; 137 m (450 ft) long by 69 m (225 ft) wide and 18 m (60 ft) high, with …
Location and history
The Temple of Artemis (Artemision) was located near the ancient city of Ephesus, about 75 kilometres (47 mi) south from the modern port city of İzmir, in Turkey. Today the site lies on the edge of the modern town of Selçuk.
The sacred site (temenos) at Ephesus was far older than the Artemision itself. Pausanias was certain that it antedated the Ionic immigration by many years, b…
Second phase
The new temple was sponsored at least in part by Croesus, who founded Lydia's empire and was overlord of Ephesus. It was designed and constructed from around 550 BC by the Cretan architect Chersiphron and his son Metagenes. It was 115 m (377 ft) long and 46 m (151 ft) wide, supposedly the first Greek temple built of marble. Its peripteral columns stood some 13 m (40 ft) high, in double r…
Rediscovery of the temple
After six years of searching, the site of the temple was rediscovered in 1869 by an expedition led by John Turtle Wood and sponsored by the British Museum. These excavations continued until 1874. A few further fragments of sculpture were found during the 1904–1906 excavations directed by David George Hogarth. The recovered sculptured fragments of the 4th-century rebuilding a…
Cult and influence
The archaic temeton beneath the later temples clearly housed some form of "Great Goddess" but nothing is known of her cult. The literary accounts that describe it as "Amazonian" refer to the later founder-myths of Greek emigrés who developed the cult and temple of Artemis Ephesia. The wealth and splendor of temple and city were taken as evidence of Artemis Ephesia's power, and were the basis for her local and international prestige: despite the successive traumas of Templ…
Ephesian Artemis
From the Greek point of view, the Ephesian Artemis is a distinctive form of their goddess Artemis. In Greek cult and myth, Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo, a virgin goddess of the hunt, the wilderness and the moon, who, despite being a goddess of childbirth was nevertheless known for her chastity. At Ephesus, a goddess whom the Greeks associated with Artemis was venerated in an archa…
See also
• List of Ancient Greek temples