7+Wonders-+Temple+of+Artemis+at+Ephesus

**The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus**

The Temple of Artemis is one of the glorious Seven Wonders of the World. The temple was one of the largest and most sophisticated temples ever built in ancient times. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) This temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess, Artemis. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) She was goddess of childbirth, hunting and the moon. (Chrisp, 52.) This temple is now one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Architects decided to build this massive temple in Ephesus, the present-day west coast of Turkey. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) The temple was built around 550 B.C.,and was destroyed twice. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325)



** Design and Architecture **

The Temple of Artemis was extremely large and sophisticated. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) It was made entirely of marble, except for the tile covered wooden roof. It was 360 feet in length, and 180 feet in width (110 by 55 meters). There were 106 columns that were each 67 feet (20 meters) high which formed a double row around the inner space. After the original temple was burned down, architects built another temple just like it, except four times larger than the first. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) (About the perimeter of an American football field .)



** Destruction **

The original Temple of Artemis was burned down in 356 B.C. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.", 325) One legend says that the man who started the fire to the roof was named Herostraus, and he did it because he wanted so badly for his name to go down with history. Artemis was not able to defend her temple because she was preoccupied by the safe birth of Alexander the Great. ("Temple of Artemis at Ephesus") However, more architects, although different, rebuilt the temple. This temple was four times as large as the first! This temple was even more luxurious than the first, and everyone noticed. Sometime around 263 A.D., goths looted and destroyed the second temple. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) There are very few remains to the temple. ("Temple of Artemis at Ephesus") ** Remains **

"In 1863, the British Museum sent John Turtle Wood to search for remains. He had many obsticles to overcome for six full years. Finally, at the bottom of a muddy twenty-foot deep test pit, his crew struck the base of the temple." ("Temple of Artemis at Ephesus") All the remains went to the British museum, except for one free standing column. This column was once attached to the Temple of Artemis, and today it represents the temple, so people do not forget what was once standing on that ground. ("Temple of Artemis at Ephesus")



**Artemis**

Artemis was a Greek Goddess in ancient times. She was the goddess of childbirth, hunting, and the moon. She has a twin brother, named Apollo. Apollo was mainly the god of light and Sun. (Chrisp, 52) The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was built to honor Artemis. ("Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus", 325) She was also referred too as the "archer goddess". (Chrisp, 52) After awhile, the nickname "Diana" formed. ("Temple of Artemis at Ephesus") Another job that Artemis did was protect the animals. (Chrisp, 89)
 * Ephesus, Turkey **

Ephesus is an Ancient Greek city. It is on the west coast of modern day Turkey. Just 35 miles south of Izmir. ("Ephesus" 341) This city was never truly popular until the Temple of Artemis was built. Several temples were built here because they kept getting destroyed. First by a flood, second by a man named Herostraus. The third was looted by goths, and this marked the end of the temple. A single standing column remains to signify what once was there, the Temple of Artemis. ("Temple of Artemis at Ephesus")

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Chrisp, Peter. // e.Guides Ancient Greece //. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2006. 52-89.

Krystek, Lee. "Temple of Artemis at Ephesus." // The Museum of UnNatural Mystery //. N.p., 2010. Web. 21Mar 2012. .

"Seven Wonders of the Ancient World." // The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus //. S-19,World Book, 2008. Print.