Turkey´s Wonders of the World

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The temple of Artemis was believed to have been built in the 6th century BC, on what is now the west coast of modern Turkey. Dedicated to the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo, it took 120 years to build and was a momentous sight to behold when complete, being one of the largest and complex temples of ancient times. Sited near the town of Selcuk, 50 miles south of Izmir, the marble temple stood at 115 meters long and 55 meters wide. For many years it served as a house of worship for Artemis, as well as a marketplace. People came from all over the world to place gifts.

Tradition states that it was deliberately destroyed by fire in 356BC on the very night Alexander the Great was born; Artemis was too distracted to prevent it. It was rebuilt only to be destroyed by fire yet again, then later plundered and destroyed by the Goths. 

The temple was unearthed by British archaeologist John Turtle Wood in 1870 after a search that lasted seven years. All that remains today is two pieces of marble, though numerous artifacts are on display in the British Museum.

Visit our sister website, Turkey For You, for more on Ephesus

Pictures of Ephesus

1.	Turkey´s Wonders of the World
2.	The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
3.	The Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
4.	Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Share:

Facebook

Return to TC essays page