EPHESOS- ARTEMISION
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built by the Ephesians around 400 BC. King Croesus was the wealthiest man in the world at the time and donated funds for its construction. The Artemision was the largest Greek temple in the ancient world, and the magnificent statue of the multi-breasted Artemis stood within it.
“According to historical accounts, it is said to have featured over 36 columns adorned with reliefs—*columnae caelatae*.”
On the day of the birth of Alexander the Great, Artemis left the temple to assist his mother during childbirth. She was renowned as a midwife and is, therefore, the goddess of childbirth. However, an enemy sneaked into the temple one night and set it ablaze. His intention was to link his name with that of Artemis, ensuring that he would never be forgotten. Unfortunately, his name currently escapes me; nevertheless, King Alexander rebuilt the Temple of Artemis once he came of age, and it stood for another 400 years. When the Romans introduced Christianity, the temple was looted, and its structural components were repurposed by the inhabitants of Ephesus for use in their own homes. Aside from a single surviving column fragment, nothing remains of it today.
Ephesus
