Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs
Stones from the theater confirming the goddess processions, silversmiths, and provincial officials of Acts 19
Found 1866 — John Turtle Wood (British Museum), on the theater's south entrance wall
Where Great Theater, Ephesus (Turkey)
Dates from 104 CE (Salutaris); 1st–3rd century (others) · Roman Imperial · Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19)
Now at Salutaris decree: mostly in situ on the south analemma wall of the theater; several fragments in the British Museum, London (e.g. 1868,0620.547); other Asiarch and guild texts in situ and in the Ephesus Museum, Selçuk
How Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs was found
Wood found the long Salutaris decree carved on the theater wall. Later Austrian excavations recovered further texts naming Asiarchs and a guild of silversmiths (argyrokopoi).
What it is
The Salutaris inscription is a 568-line Greek decree of 104 CE in which a wealthy Roman set up gold and silver images of Artemis to be carried in procession from the temple through the theater on festival days. Other Ephesian stones record officials titled 'Asiarch' and a guild of silversmiths honouring a fellow member.
Why it matters for the Bible
Luke's riot scene is full of small details: silversmiths organised as a trade, silver images of Artemis, 'Asiarchs' who were Paul's friends, a town clerk who addressed the assembly in the theater. Each of these turns up in the stones of Ephesus itself. Together they show that Acts 19 was written by someone who knew how the city worked.
The Hebrew word: tso-REF KEH-sef
צוֹרֵף כֶּסֶף
צוֹרֵף כֶּסֶף is pronounced tso-REF KEH-sef and means silversmith (Greek argyrokopos) (Strong's G695).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
- Demetrius — דִּימִיטְרִיּוֹס (dee-MEE-tree-os) — Greek Demetrios
Places
- Ephesus — אֶפֶסוֹס (EH-feh-sos) — Greek Ephesos
Events
Silversmiths' riot · Asiarchs urge Paul not to enter the theater
Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs in Scripture
Acts 19:31 The 'Asiarchs' — a title known from Ephesian inscriptions.
Questions people ask
What is Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs?
The Salutaris inscription is a 568-line Greek decree of 104 CE in which a wealthy Roman set up gold and silver images of Artemis to be carried in procession from the temple through the theater on festival days. Other Ephesian stones record officials titled 'Asiarch' and a guild of silversmiths honouring a fellow member.
When was Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs discovered?
It was found in 1866 by John Turtle Wood (British Museum), on the theater's south entrance wall, at Great Theater, Ephesus.
Where is Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs today?
Salutaris decree: mostly in situ on the south analemma wall of the theater; several fragments in the British Museum, London (e.g. 1868,0620.547); other Asiarch and guild texts in situ and in the Ephesus Museum, Selçuk.
Which Bible verses does Ephesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the Asiarchs relate to?
Acts 19:31.
Related discoveries
- אַרְטֶמִיסTemple of Artemis at EphesusOne of the Seven Wonders, whose silver shrines sparked the riot against Paul
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןGreat Theater of EphesusThe 24,000-seat theater where the silversmiths' riot shouted 'Great is Artemis'
- שָׁאוּלGrotto of St Paul and the Thecla Fresco, EphesusA hillside cave with the oldest painted image of Paul found in Asia
- רָאשֵׁי הָעִירPolitarch Inscription (Thessalonica)Arch inscription proving Luke's rare word for city rulers was exactly right
- קְהִלָּהCuretes Street and the Library of Celsus, EphesusThe marble city Paul walked — with a landmark built a generation after him
- בַּיִתTerrace Houses (Hanghäuser) of EphesusWealthy homes of the city where Paul taught for two years
Sources
- G. M. Rogers, The Sacred Identity of Ephesos: Foundation Myths of a Roman City (1991)
- Die Inschriften von Ephesos (IvE) 27 (Salutaris)
- British Museum collection, fragment 1868,0620.547 (Salutaris inscription, 104 CE, excavated by J. T. Wood)
- Judaism and Rome, "The Salutaris Foundation and the Roman Representations in Ephesus"
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