Temple of Artemis
Also known as: Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Temple of Artemis or Artemision, also known as the Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to a localised form of the goddess Artemis.
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Modern location of the archaeological site
The modern town of Selçuk in Turkey serves as the administrative and tourism hub for the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and the nearby city of Ephesus.
Offered to fund the temple's reconstruction
Alexander offered to pay for the rebuilding of the temple after its destruction in 356 BCE, provided his name was inscribed on it, an offer the Ephesians politely declined.
is the deity to whom the temple was
The temple was dedicated to a unique, syncretic form of Artemis, often depicted as a multi-breasted fertility goddess distinct from the traditional Greek huntress.
is the geographical location of
The temple served as the religious and economic center of this major Ionian Greek city, which was a crucial hub for trade and worship in Asia Minor.
perpetrated the destruction of
In 356 BCE, Herostratus deliberately set fire to the temple in an attempt to achieve eternal fame, leading to the structure's first major destruction.
is a canonical member of
The Temple of Artemis was famously listed by ancient writers like Antipater of Sidon as one of the seven architectural marvels of the classical world.
Primary historical source for the temple's dimensions
Pliny the Elder provided detailed, though sometimes debated, descriptions of the temple's size and architectural features in his encyclopedic work Naturalis Historia.
Collaborating architect and son of Chersiphron
Metagenes continued the construction of the Temple of Artemis after his father Chersiphron, specifically working on the difficult task of installing the massive architraves.
was the primary architect of
Chersiphron of Knossos was the Cretan architect responsible for the initial design and the innovative engineering required to build the temple's massive foundations.
was a major patron of
The Lydian king Croesus provided significant financial support for the construction of the temple during the 6th century BCE, contributing to its early grandeur.
Contemporary architectural peer among the Seven Wonders
Like the Temple of Artemis, this temple represents the pinnacle of Classical Greek religious architecture and is another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Sculptor of the temple's column bases
The renowned sculptor Scopas of Paros was commissioned to create the relief carvings for the column bases of the fourth-century reconstruction of the temple.
ordered the final demolition of
The Archbishop of Constantinople sanctioned the final destruction of the temple in 401 CE as part of a campaign to eradicate pagan sites.
conducted the final destruction of
In 268 CE, the Goths raided Ephesus and severely damaged the temple, marking the beginning of its final decline and eventual abandonment.
Architect involved in the temple's final reconstruction
Paeonius was one of the architects responsible for the final, grandest version of the temple, which was completed in the 4th century BCE.
Stylistic successor in Hellenistic monumental architecture
The altar reflects the evolution of the monumental sculptural traditions that were pioneered and displayed on the columns and friezes of the Temple of Artemis.