Temple of Artemis
Temple of Artemis is one of the 7 wonders of the world and the first marble temple of the Ancient world. Like all the other Artemis temples it was faced to the west. The Temple was designed and constructed in 6th c. BC. Early construction was built at the expense of Croesus, the wealthy king of Lydia. The rich foundation deposit of more than a thousand items has been recovered: it includes what may be the earliest coins
of the silver-gold alloy, electrum. Marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes. The temple became a pilgrame site and tourist attraction, visited by merchants, kings, and travelers. Many paid homage to Artemis in the form of jewelry and various goods. The temple was a widely respected place of refuge, a tradition that was linked in myth with the Amazons who took refuge there, both from Heracles and from Dionysus. The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was destroyed on July 21, 356 BC in an act of arson committed by Herostratus. According to the story, his motivation was fame at any cost, thus the term herostratic fame. That very same night, Alexander the Great was born. A noble Ephesian remarked that Artemis was too busy with Alexander's delivery to save her burning temple. Alexander later offered to pay for the Temple's rebuilding, but the Ephesians refused. Eventually, the temple was restored after Alexander's death, in 323 BC. This reconstruction was itself destroyed during a raid by the Goths in 262, The Ephesians rebuilt the temple
again. Following the next two centuries, the majority of Ephesians converted to Christianity. In 401, the temple was finally destroyed by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom, and the stones were reused in construction of other buildings. Including the Church of Hagia Sophia located 450 miles north of Ephesus in the city of Constantinopolis (Istanbul today). Some of the green columns located in Hagia Sophia originaly belonged to the Temple of Artemis.
Most of the physical description and art within the Temple of Artemis comes from Pliny. A traveler who travelled through Anatolia, Greece and North Part of Africa in the 3rd century BC. He wrote a book describing the 7 largest buildings of the ancient world and named them as the "7 wonders of the ancient world". Pliny described the temple as 377 feet long and 180 feet wide. As large as a soccer stadium and made almost entirely of marble. The Temple consisted of 127 Ionic-styled columns, each 60 feet in height.
The Temple of Artemis housed many fine artworks. Sculptures by renowned Greek sculptors adorned the temple, as well as paintings and gilded columns of gold and silver. The sculptors often competed at creating the finest sculpture. Many of these sculptures were of Amazons, who are said to have founded the city of Ephesus.The Temple of Artemis was located at an economically robust region, seeing merchants and travellers from all over Asia Minor. The temple was influenced by many beliefs, and can be seen as a symbol of faith for many different peoples. The Ephesians worshipped Cybele, and incorporated many of their beliefs into the worship of Artemis. Artemisian Cybele became quite contrasted from her Roman counterpart, Diana. The cult of Artemis attracted thousands of worshippers from far-off lands. They would all gather at the site and worship her. Shortly after 400 A.D. this huge temple, extolled as a "Wonder of the World", was destroyed, and a Christian church appeared in its place. Around the middle of the 6th century A.D., the Byzantine Imperial couple Justinian and Theodora erected a seven-domed basilica on Ayasoluk, dedicated to Hagios Theologos John, above an older church building and the tomb of this saint, considered to be the author of the biblical apocalypse. From the 9th century on, the Bishop of Ephesus also resided here, inside the now-fortified settlement; after this, the vast city in the plain was abandoned.
Artemis was the Greek goddess, daughter of Zeus and Leto, the twin sister of Apollo. Believed to be born in Ephesus. She was the goddess of fertility and birth. Many breasts which are considered to be Bulls testicles of her denoting her fertility. The Greek Artemis was dressed in a long garment, holding a bow and arrows like her brother Apollo, which killed the pregnant woman. Each year in spring a feast was organised dedicated to Artemis. During the feast days, there were live sacrifices, atheletic games and speech competitions. The feast was also a national holiday for the Ionians of the Asia Minor.
Today Temple of Artemis is awating attention from the Turkish government. There is no protection around the temple. Visitors see only a column which has been reerected by the Austrian Archeologists. It is a spiritually important site. You would see 3 diffrent religions meeting in the same block. A pagan temple, christian church and a moslem mosque.
of the silver-gold alloy, electrum. Marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes. The temple became a pilgrame site and tourist attraction, visited by merchants, kings, and travelers. Many paid homage to Artemis in the form of jewelry and various goods. The temple was a widely respected place of refuge, a tradition that was linked in myth with the Amazons who took refuge there, both from Heracles and from Dionysus. The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was destroyed on July 21, 356 BC in an act of arson committed by Herostratus. According to the story, his motivation was fame at any cost, thus the term herostratic fame. That very same night, Alexander the Great was born. A noble Ephesian remarked that Artemis was too busy with Alexander's delivery to save her burning temple. Alexander later offered to pay for the Temple's rebuilding, but the Ephesians refused. Eventually, the temple was restored after Alexander's death, in 323 BC. This reconstruction was itself destroyed during a raid by the Goths in 262, The Ephesians rebuilt the temple
again. Following the next two centuries, the majority of Ephesians converted to Christianity. In 401, the temple was finally destroyed by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom, and the stones were reused in construction of other buildings. Including the Church of Hagia Sophia located 450 miles north of Ephesus in the city of Constantinopolis (Istanbul today). Some of the green columns located in Hagia Sophia originaly belonged to the Temple of Artemis.
Most of the physical description and art within the Temple of Artemis comes from Pliny. A traveler who travelled through Anatolia, Greece and North Part of Africa in the 3rd century BC. He wrote a book describing the 7 largest buildings of the ancient world and named them as the "7 wonders of the ancient world". Pliny described the temple as 377 feet long and 180 feet wide. As large as a soccer stadium and made almost entirely of marble. The Temple consisted of 127 Ionic-styled columns, each 60 feet in height.
The Temple of Artemis housed many fine artworks. Sculptures by renowned Greek sculptors adorned the temple, as well as paintings and gilded columns of gold and silver. The sculptors often competed at creating the finest sculpture. Many of these sculptures were of Amazons, who are said to have founded the city of Ephesus.The Temple of Artemis was located at an economically robust region, seeing merchants and travellers from all over Asia Minor. The temple was influenced by many beliefs, and can be seen as a symbol of faith for many different peoples. The Ephesians worshipped Cybele, and incorporated many of their beliefs into the worship of Artemis. Artemisian Cybele became quite contrasted from her Roman counterpart, Diana. The cult of Artemis attracted thousands of worshippers from far-off lands. They would all gather at the site and worship her. Shortly after 400 A.D. this huge temple, extolled as a "Wonder of the World", was destroyed, and a Christian church appeared in its place. Around the middle of the 6th century A.D., the Byzantine Imperial couple Justinian and Theodora erected a seven-domed basilica on Ayasoluk, dedicated to Hagios Theologos John, above an older church building and the tomb of this saint, considered to be the author of the biblical apocalypse. From the 9th century on, the Bishop of Ephesus also resided here, inside the now-fortified settlement; after this, the vast city in the plain was abandoned.
Artemis was the Greek goddess, daughter of Zeus and Leto, the twin sister of Apollo. Believed to be born in Ephesus. She was the goddess of fertility and birth. Many breasts which are considered to be Bulls testicles of her denoting her fertility. The Greek Artemis was dressed in a long garment, holding a bow and arrows like her brother Apollo, which killed the pregnant woman. Each year in spring a feast was organised dedicated to Artemis. During the feast days, there were live sacrifices, atheletic games and speech competitions. The feast was also a national holiday for the Ionians of the Asia Minor.
Today Temple of Artemis is awating attention from the Turkish government. There is no protection around the temple. Visitors see only a column which has been reerected by the Austrian Archeologists. It is a spiritually important site. You would see 3 diffrent religions meeting in the same block. A pagan temple, christian church and a moslem mosque.
Basilica of St. John
Basilica of St. John, was built in the 6th century, under emperor Justinian I & his wife Theodora over the supposed site of the apostle's tomb. At his crucifixion, Jesus asked his beloved disciple, John, to look after his mother. John and the Virgin went to Ephesus between 38 and 47 AD and lived there. John was exiled to Patmos for 8 years by Emperror Domitian. Later he came back to Ephesus and continued writing the Gospel. John was martyred in the age of 98 under the rule of the Emperor Trajan. The John buried here, is the
John the Evangelist who is also known as the John the Apostle or John the Gospel writer. He is commonly mixed up with John the Baptist. John the Baptist has never been to Asia Minor.
The hill that John lived after coming from the island of Patmos was named as Hagia Theologos, meaning the "Holy Theologian". It is also the name given to the city during Byzantine period., Turkish name first for the town and later only for the hill is Ayasuluk. A small church on the Ayasuluk Hill was dedicated to John the Apostle in the 2C AD. This church was replaced in the 6C by a huge basilica built by the Emperor Justinian.
Justinian is also the Emperror who ordered the construction of the Church of Hagia Sophia which was the largest church of the world till 1453, till the
Ottoman Empire conquered the city of Constantinopolis. Basilica of St. John was the second largest church of Anatolia when it was active. The impressive ruins of the basilica are still visible. The basilica had a cross plan with six domes. Under the central dome was the sacred grave of St. John. Pilgrims have
believed that a fine dust from his grave has magical and curative powers. In the apse of the central nave, beyond the transept is the synthronon,
semicircular rows of seats for the clergy. To the north transept was attached the treasury which was later converted into a chapel. The baptistery is from an
earlier period and now located to the north of the nave. Mosaics used by Byzatines are smaller than Roman mosaics. Examples can be noticed in the
treasury. Baptising pool is in the shape of Jordan river. Jordan meaning the fast meandring river nothing related to the country of Jordan. First baptises
were practiced by John the baptist in Jordan River. John the Baptist baptised Jesus in this river.
Visitors can also notice a writing saying that Pope Paul 6th prayed in this place on July 26th 1967. Having Pope's arrival to the ruins, made the site a popular one. Today the site have been restored by American foundations like Quatman foundation from Lima, Ohio and Grand Circle Foundation.
John the Evangelist who is also known as the John the Apostle or John the Gospel writer. He is commonly mixed up with John the Baptist. John the Baptist has never been to Asia Minor.
The hill that John lived after coming from the island of Patmos was named as Hagia Theologos, meaning the "Holy Theologian". It is also the name given to the city during Byzantine period., Turkish name first for the town and later only for the hill is Ayasuluk. A small church on the Ayasuluk Hill was dedicated to John the Apostle in the 2C AD. This church was replaced in the 6C by a huge basilica built by the Emperor Justinian.
Justinian is also the Emperror who ordered the construction of the Church of Hagia Sophia which was the largest church of the world till 1453, till the
Ottoman Empire conquered the city of Constantinopolis. Basilica of St. John was the second largest church of Anatolia when it was active. The impressive ruins of the basilica are still visible. The basilica had a cross plan with six domes. Under the central dome was the sacred grave of St. John. Pilgrims have
believed that a fine dust from his grave has magical and curative powers. In the apse of the central nave, beyond the transept is the synthronon,
semicircular rows of seats for the clergy. To the north transept was attached the treasury which was later converted into a chapel. The baptistery is from an
earlier period and now located to the north of the nave. Mosaics used by Byzatines are smaller than Roman mosaics. Examples can be noticed in the
treasury. Baptising pool is in the shape of Jordan river. Jordan meaning the fast meandring river nothing related to the country of Jordan. First baptises
were practiced by John the baptist in Jordan River. John the Baptist baptised Jesus in this river.
Visitors can also notice a writing saying that Pope Paul 6th prayed in this place on July 26th 1967. Having Pope's arrival to the ruins, made the site a popular one. Today the site have been restored by American foundations like Quatman foundation from Lima, Ohio and Grand Circle Foundation.
