Temple of Artemis at Sardis
One of the largest Greek temples, standing unfinished beside a later church
Found 1910 — Howard Crosby Butler, Princeton University (American Society for the Excavation of Sardis, 1910–1914); re-studied by the Harvard–Cornell Sardis Expedition (Fikret Yegül, 2002–2012)
Where Sardis (Sart), Manisa Province (Turkey)
Dates from Cella c. 300–250 BCE; Roman colonnade begun after 17 CE; church built beside it c. 400 CE · Hellenistic–Roman · Message to Sardis (Revelation 3)
Now at In situ; sculpture and a column capital in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Manisa Museum
How Temple of Artemis at Sardis was found
Only two column tops showed above deep hillwash when Butler began. His crews removed some 10 m of soil to expose the whole platform, finding the temple's unfinished columns and the inscriptions of its priestly treasury.
What it is
A marble temple about 100 by 45 m, with columns nearly 18 m tall; two still stand full height. Built for Artemis by the Seleucids, it was rebuilt after the earthquake of 17 CE with a Roman colonnade that was never finished, and re-dedicated to Artemis and the empress Faustina. A small Christian church (Church M) was built against its corner around 400 CE.
Why it matters for the Bible
The letter to Sardis speaks of a city with a name for being alive but dead (Revelation 3:1). The great temple, left half-built for centuries, is a physical picture of that faded glory. Inscriptions from the temple record loans and gifts, showing it as the city's bank as well as its shrine. The tiny church tucked against its wall shows the assembly of Sardis surviving where the goddess did not.
The Hebrew word: SHEM
שֵׁם
שֵׁם is pronounced SHEM and means name, reputation — 'you have a name that you live, but you are dead' (Strong's H8034).
Places
- Sardis — סַרְדִּיס (SAR-dees) — Greek Sardeis; likely the 'Sepharad' of Obadiah 20
Events
Message to the assembly at Sardis · Earthquake of 17 CE
Temple of Artemis at Sardis in Scripture
Revelation 1:11 One of only 3 verses that name Sardis.
Revelation 3:1 Sardis' reputation versus reality; the never-finished temple embodies the city's faded fame.
Revelation 3:4 'A few names in Sardis' — the small church by the temple recalls the faithful few.
Questions people ask
What is Temple of Artemis at Sardis?
A marble temple about 100 by 45 m, with columns nearly 18 m tall; two still stand full height. Built for Artemis by the Seleucids, it was rebuilt after the earthquake of 17 CE with a Roman colonnade that was never finished, and re-dedicated to Artemis and the empress Faustina. A small Christian church (Church M) was built against its corner around 400 CE.
When was Temple of Artemis at Sardis discovered?
It was found in 1910 by Howard Crosby Butler, Princeton University (American Society for the Excavation of Sardis, 1910–1914); re-studied by the Harvard–Cornell Sardis Expedition (Fikret Yegül, 2002–2012), at Sardis (Sart), Manisa Province.
Where is Temple of Artemis at Sardis today?
In situ; sculpture and a column capital in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Manisa Museum.
Which Bible verses does Temple of Artemis at Sardis relate to?
Revelation 1:11, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:4.
Related discoveries
- סְפָרַדSardis SynagogueThe largest ancient synagogue ever found, in the heart of a city of Revelation
- גַּנָּבSardis: The Lydian Wall and the Sack of 547 BCEThe fallen soldiers of a city taken 'like a thief' by Cyrus
- פּוֹשֵׁרLaodicea: Lukewarm Water and the Early ChurchCalcified pipes, the Hierapolis hot springs, and a 4th-century church in the city that was 'neither hot nor cold'
- אֱלִילִיםRed Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), PergamonHadrian's giant brick temple to Serapis and Isis, later a church of St John
- עַמּוּדPhiladelphia (Alaşehir): Basilica of St John and City WallsThree brick pillars in a city that promised its faithful a 'pillar in the temple'
- מְלָאכָהThyatira: Tepe Mezarlığı and Hastane Höyüğü ExcavationsThe colonnaded street and mounds of Lydia's city of craft guilds
Sources
- Sardis Expedition: The Temple of Artemis
- Fikret Yegül, 'The Temple of Artemis at Sardis' (Sardis Expedition essay)
- Metropolitan Museum: marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis