Ephesus: The Temple of Artemis

Ephesus is a very well preserved ancient city on the coast of Asia Minor, south of Smyrna (Izmir).

Benh LIEU SONG, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The goddess most worshiped at Ephesus was Artemis, The Great Huntress; her temple, the Temple of Artemis (Artemision), was built around the 6th century BC and, at 425 feet long, was considered the largest structure in the ancient world and was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Temple of Artemis was burned down in 356 BC by Herostratus to perpetuate his name, but was later rebuilt. Most parts of this temple are now housed in the British Museum of London.

Another main attraction of Ephesus is the Curetes Street, which bore the name of the “Curetes” who were 9 high officials of Artemis. The Curetes street stretches between the Hercules Gate and the Ancient Library of Celsus, which was built in Roman times (around 135 AD).

Featured Image Credit: Benh LIEU SONG, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Evangelia

Evangelia Hatzitsinidou is the creator and author of www.greek-gods.info which has been merged with Olympioi.com. She has been writing about Greek Mythology for almost twenty years. A native to Greece, she teaches and lives just outside Athens.