Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
One of the Seven Wonders, whose silver shrines sparked the riot against Paul
Found 1869 — John Turtle Wood, for the British Museum, after six years of searching; further excavation by David George Hogarth (1904–1906)
Where Ephesus, near Selçuk (Turkey)
Dates from c. 550 BCE; rebuilt after 356 BCE; in use to 3rd–4th century CE · Archaic–Roman · Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19)
Now at Site: a single re-erected column in a marsh at Selçuk. Sculptures: British Museum, London. Artemis statues from the city: Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Selçuk
How Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was found
Wood followed clues in a theater inscription to a marshy field north-east of the city and struck the temple pavement 6 metres down on the last day of 1869. Hogarth later found the foundation deposit of the archaic temple, including some of the world's earliest coins.
What it is
The Hellenistic rebuild was about 137 by 69 metres with more than 127 columns 18 metres tall, the largest temple of the Greek world. The famous cult image, a many-breasted (or many-egged) Artemis, is known from Roman marble copies found in the city's Prytaneion in 1956.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 19 says Demetrius the silversmith made 'silver shrines of Artemis' and warned that Paul's preaching threatened both their trade and the goddess 'whom all Asia worships.' The temple, its wealth (it acted as a bank), and its statues explain why a small preaching movement could set the city in an uproar. The statues also show what the Ephesian believers turned from when they burned their magic books (Acts 19:19).
The Hebrew word: ar-TEH-mees
אַרְטֶמִיס
אַרְטֶמִיס is pronounced ar-TEH-mees and means Artemis (Greek goddess; Latin Diana) (Strong's G735).
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 · Burning of magic books at Ephesus
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus in Scripture
Acts 19:24-27 Demetrius' silver shrines and the 'temple of the great goddess Artemis' — this temple. (First mention of Diana.)
Acts 19:35 Ephesus as 'temple keeper' of Artemis and her image 'fallen from heaven.'
Questions people ask
What is Temple of Artemis at Ephesus?
The Hellenistic rebuild was about 137 by 69 metres with more than 127 columns 18 metres tall, the largest temple of the Greek world. The famous cult image, a many-breasted (or many-egged) Artemis, is known from Roman marble copies found in the city's Prytaneion in 1956.
When was Temple of Artemis at Ephesus discovered?
It was found in 1869 by John Turtle Wood, for the British Museum, after six years of searching; further excavation by David George Hogarth (1904–1906), at Ephesus, near Selçuk.
Where is Temple of Artemis at Ephesus today?
Site: a single re-erected column in a marsh at Selçuk. Sculptures: British Museum, London. Artemis statues from the city: Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Selçuk.
Which Bible verses does Temple of Artemis at Ephesus relate to?
Acts 19:24-27, Acts 19:35.
Related discoveries
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןGreat Theater of EphesusThe 24,000-seat theater where the silversmiths' riot shouted 'Great is Artemis'
- 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
- צוֹרֵף כֶּסֶףEphesus Artemis Inscriptions: Salutaris Foundation and the AsiarchsStones from the theater confirming the goddess processions, silversmiths, and provincial officials of Acts 19
- 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
Sources
- J. T. Wood, Discoveries at Ephesus (1877)
- Wikipedia, 'Temple of Artemis'