The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. However, today you will see only the ruins of the temple with its foundation as the visible proof of its ancient existence. The place of its original construction has turned into a swamp and only a single marble pillar is left at the site. This marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age was entirely made of marble stone and fully sculptured columns, capitals and shafts. The most beautiful remains of this structure are carefully preserved and exhibited at the British museum in London.

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world

The original construction of this enormous Ionian temple dedicated to Artemis, the Goddess of fertility dates back to the middle half of the 8^th century BC by the Greek settlers in the area. But, the temple was destroyed in a flood during the 7^th century BC. The reconstruction began during 550 BC under Croesus of Lydia. However, the temple was burnt down in 356 BC by lunatic by name Herostratos.

The last reconstruction was started by the Ephesians themselves in the 323 BC and the work continued for many years. The monument was 137 m long, 69 m wide and 18 m in height and consisted of 127 pillars in total. This temple finally lasted for about 600 years but again destroyed by fire and reconstructed. Finally it was the Goths, the ethnic groups from the Eastern Germany who looted and destroyed the temple in 268 AD. Later on the temple was perhaps never rebuilt completely . The Temple of Artemis and the ancient ruins of Ephesus were rediscovered following a series of excavations from 1869 to 1906.

Also Known As The Temple of Diana

The Romans called this as the “Temple of Diana”, their Goddess of hunting. Even the Greek Goddess of Artemis is associated with hunting and depicted with bows and arrows. However, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is the Goddess that symbolizes fertility and of abundance, wildlife and hunting as well. Artemis is depicted as having many nodes on her chest and with many animals around her. Some claim that these numerous nodes are her breasts and others claim that they are the testes of bulls offered to her as sacrifice. In all terms, both these depictions represent her as the Goddess of fertility in Ephesus.

During you holiday in Marmaris Turkey , if you like to see the last standing remains of the seven wonders of the ancient world, we recommend you to join Marmaris to Ephesus Day Trip .

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