by Tom

The temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders f the Ancient World. Some say it's the most beautiful structures on earth. It was built to honor the Greek goddess of hunting and wild nature. It was the temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus. The temple was mainly made out o marble and stone with a tile covered wooden roof. The inner temple featured a double row of at least 106 columns, believed to be 40 to 60 feet tall. The foundation was approximately 200 by 400 feet. This marvelous place was located in the ancient city of Ephesus near the modern town of Selcuk, about 50 km south of Izmir (Smyrna) in Turkey. Nobody knows exactly when the temple was built, but it is estimated to have been around 700 BC.

The temple was sponsored by the Lydan King Croesus and was designed by an architect from Greece called Chersiphron. It was adorned by bronze statues made by skilled artists such as Pheidias, Polycleitus, Kresilas, and Pharadmon. The temple was used as a marketplace and a religious institution. Merchants, tourists, artisans, and kings paid homage to their goddess by sharing their treasure.

The original temple burned in 356 BC and was rebuilt on the same foundation. Fire demolished the second temple in 262 AD. The foundation and some debris have survived. The remaining sculptures from the second temple rest in the British Museum in London. This temple is an interesting part of history which we shouldn't forget.

Thanks for reading the section on the Temple of Artemis. Read the sections on the other Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then if you feel smart, try to pass our trivia test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!