The Temple of Artemis

Purpose The Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana) was built to be a place to worship the goddess Artemis. Artemis was the patron goddess for the people of Ephesus.

Location The Temple of Artemis was located in the city of Ephesus. This ancient city no longer exists. The modern day location is in Selçuk, Turkey.

Sculptor Scopas (or Skopas) of Paros was a Greek architect. He was the main sculptor for Temple of Artemis. He is known as a very famous sculptor. The city of Ephesus was one of the greatest cities of its time. Scopas (Skopas) was very careful to ensure this monument was a great success.

Architecture The Temple of Artemis was built three different times. It is considered one of the “wonders” from the last time it was built. The temple had 127 columns. It was constructed completely out of marble. These columns had carvings on the bottom of each of them. There were also bronze statues of women. The location was swampy, so they put layers of coal and wool as a base. They used ramps made from earth to place the roof beams on the columns. Dimension Measure (feet) Width 225 Length 450 Height 60

Destruction In 268 AD, the temple was torn down by the followers of a man named St. Paul. St. Paul was trying to convert all people to Christianity. After a several attempts, he was successful. The people of Ephesus tried to rebuild the temple, but when Emperor Theodosius the Great made Christianity the state religion, he ended the construction.

Timeline Around 800 BC - The first shrine was built Around 600 BC - The second shrine was built 323 BC - The third and final shrine was built 268 AD - The temple was destroyed 1869 - John Turtle Wood discovered remains of the Temple of Artemis

Sources http://www.kusadasi.biz/historical-places/images/artemis-temple2.jpg http://www.unmuseum.org/ephesus.htm http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aby_5aWfs0/TROtgz57WxI/AAAAAAAAAIE/PCwZQ8jIJ2Q/s1600/Temple+of+Artemis+at+Corfu+Pediment.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopas