The Temple Of Artemis At Ephesus Case Study

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, also known as the Artemision, was a remarkable sight that was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple itself was rather mysterious, as not much is known about the rituals that may have taken place there. The Ephesian’s were known to have held Artemis is the highest honor. It was believed by some that Artemis herself was born where the temple was later erected (Iosa, pg. 3). The temple had many motifs dedicated to this belief, it can be considered “the Nativity Temple of Artemis” (“The Earlier Temple of Artemis at Ephesus”, pg. 16). The people of Ephesus also worshiped Artemis above all other gods and goddesses. While it was destroyed centuries ago, the Temple of Artemis at …show more content…
The columns were unusual, as they had capitals with large rosettes on them instead of the traditional volutes. Modern restorations of the capitals feature petals, but the accuracy of this design can be debated as other columns have themes that differ. There are also questions as to whether a capital of this style would be able to stay on top of the column without the rest of the entablature to hold it in place. Alternatively, it has been suggested that there may have been four other similar volutes arranged in a cross shape on the capital to lend support. This would also have added stability to the structure as a whole. The temple was enormous, measuring about 150 feet wide and 300 feet long and the door to the temple would have been about 19 feet wide (“The Earlier Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, pg. 10). The were 127 columns that each has measured 65 feet tall and were described by Vitruvius to be dipteros, which means that they were set up in two rows (Jenkins, pg. 55). A remarkable feature of the columns in the Earlier Temple was the carved lower portions (“The Earlier Temple of Artemis at Ephesus”, pg. 1). In addition, neither the Earlier Temple nor the Later Temple is believed to have been completely roofed (“The Earlier Temple of Artemis at Ephesus”, pg. 8). Studies that have focused on the structure of the temple show that the pediment may have had a …show more content…
The temple was also home to many wonderful artworks in its earlier and later incarnations. Of the 127 columns, in the earlier production that made up the temple ground, thirty-six of them were carved (Jenkins, pg. 55). The reliefs that were carved into the columns were approximately 3 inches deep near the bottom but could increase to 9 inches near the figure’s head (“The Earlier Temple of Artemis at Ephesus”, pg. 2). The figures on the column’s drum often were arranged in a processional, some walking to the right carrying offerings with the right hand (“The Earlier Temple of Artemis at Ephesus”, pg. 3). One of the best surviving columns shows a scene from mythology. The only figure on the column that the scholars have identified is Hermes, as he us carrying his caduceus. A winged man, once thought to be Eros, also appears on the side of this column; it is now known that the man displayed is likely Thanatos, God of Death. To the left of Hermes is a woman standing in front of a seated figure. These two are believed to be Persephone and Hades. The last figure stands between Hermes and Thanatos, this figure is thought to be Alkestis of mythology. There is much debate over the commonly accepted belief about who is actually featured on this relief. There has been speculation that the figure of Persephone might be Eirene based off a similar statue by Kephisodotos (“The Sculptures of the