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Temple of Artemis

Short answer: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, near modern Selçuk in Turkey, was rebuilt several times. The great marble temple funded in part by Croesus of Lydia, begun around 550 BC, was burned by the arsonist Herostratus in 356 BC.

A larger replacement followed, and that later temple is the one counted among the Seven Wonders. Pliny the Elder gave it 127 columns, each 60 feet high. It was plundered by the Goths in 262 AD and finally destroyed in 401 AD. One reconstructed column stands at the site today. The footage shows renderings of columns, statues and a fire. This is No. 4 in his Seven Wonders of the Ancient World series.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

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What should you know about Temple of Artemis?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Herostratus burned the temple in 356 BC.

    DD-098-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit C (Herostratus)

  2. The rebuilt temple lasted until 401 AD.

    DD-098-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Rebuilt several times)

Video transcript: Temple of Artemis: A Man Burned an Ancient Wonder to Make Himself Famous

The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World No. 4 The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus DID YOU KNOW? This temple was dedicated to the goddess Artemis the Greek goddess of hunting, wilderness, and wild animals. What makes this temple fascinating is its sheer size and the extravagant decorations. The temple was one of the largest in the ancient world with 127 columns each standing about 60 feet or 18 meters high. What's intriguing is that the temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout its history. The final version completed around 550 BC was more ornate than ever adorned with sculptures and artworks including statues crafted by renowned sculptors such as Phidias. Unfortunately, like many ancient wonders the Temple of Artemis was eventually destroyed by arson in 356 BC. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 43.7s Reel ·

Video coming soonTemple of Artemis · Instagram Reel
Temple of Artemis: A Man Burned an Ancient Wonder to Make Himself Famous Instagram Reel · · 43.7s

The write-up

A man burned an ancient wonder to make himself famous. Herostratus set fire to the temple at Ephesus in 356 BC.

  1. Exhibit A

    Rebuilt several times

    The temple at Ephesus was rebuilt several times.

  2. Exhibit B

    Croesus temple

    The marble temple begun around 550 BC was funded partly by Croesus.

  3. Exhibit C

    Herostratus

    Herostratus burned it in 356 BC.

  4. Exhibit D

    127 columns

    Pliny gave the rebuilt temple 127 columns, each 60 feet high.

  5. Exhibit E

    Final end

    The Goths plundered it in 262 AD; it was destroyed in 401 AD.

Questions people ask about Temple of Artemis

Was the temple rebuilt?

At least three phases.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rebuilt several times) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

Which king helped fund the temple begun around 550 BC?

King of Lydia.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Croesus temple) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

Who burned it in 356 BC?

He wanted fame.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Herostratus) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

How many columns did Pliny give the temple?

Each 60 feet high.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (127 columns) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

When was the temple finally destroyed?

After the Goths plundered it in 262.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Final end) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Was the temple rebuilt?

    1. Yes, several times
    2. Never
    3. Only once in 1900
    4. It still stands whole
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Yes, several times At least three phases. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rebuilt several times) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

  2. Which king helped fund the temple begun around 550 BC?

    1. Croesus
    2. Khufu
    3. Mausolus
    4. Nebuchadnezzar II
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Croesus King of Lydia. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Croesus temple) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

  3. Who burned it in 356 BC?

    1. Herostratus
    2. The Goths
    3. Alexander
    4. An earthquake
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Herostratus He wanted fame. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Herostratus) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

  4. How many columns did Pliny give the temple?

    1. 127
    2. 12
    3. 300
    4. 48
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 127 Each 60 feet high. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (127 columns) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

  5. When was the temple finally destroyed?

    1. 401 AD
    2. 356 BC
    3. 1453
    4. 550 BC
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 401 AD After the Goths plundered it in 262. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Final end) · Wikipedia: Temple of Artemis

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Temple of Artemis." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-098, last updated Nov 28, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temple-of-artemis/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temple-of-artemis/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-098-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/temple-of-artemis/#DD-098-F01

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