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 The Temple of Artemis By: Marygrace H

The Temple of Artemis is one of the Ancient Wonders of the World. It is one of the largest and most detailed temples built in ancient times. The temple was in Ephesus, which is now modern day Turkey. Croesus, king of Lydia, wanted the temple to be built to show off his greatness. Although the Temple of Artemis is not as important in today’s world, it was once an elaborate place of worship for the Ephesians.  The Temple of Artemis was a place to worship the goddess Artemis. Artemis was the goddess of fertility. It is believed that around 800 BC, a meteorite landed in a town close to Ephesus. The meteorite had a human-like shape on it with many egg-shaped knobs. The people thought the meteorite was somewhat holy and got the idea to build a temple in honor of Artemis. The architect Cherisphron and his son, Metagenes, designed the shrine. It measured 360 feet long and 180 feet wide. It had 106 columns, about 67 feet high. It was made of all white marble.  After the original temple was burned down, it was rebuilt even larger, measuring about 430 feet long and 260 feet high. The original temple stood in Ephesus for about 200 years. It burned down on the night of July 21, 356 BC. A man named Herostratus intentionally set the fire. He did so because he wanted to be remembered and famous for something. Goths destroyed the second temple in AD 262. Today, in Izmir, Turkey the only parts left from the Temple of Artemis are ruins and remains. The British Museum in London, England holds sculptures from the second temple.  The Temple of Artemis was once one of the most extravagant temples in Ephesus. It was so beautiful, very large, and a place where the Ephesians could worship. Although there is not much left of the temple, and it is not as famous anymore, it used to very special place. The Temple of Artemis was a place that held a lot of pride for the Ephesians.