Temple of Artemis: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The Temple of Artemis is believed to have been created in the Bronze age, but was completely demolished by the early AD 400s. It is occasionally referred to as The Temple of Diana (Artemis’ Roman equivalent). It was the first Greek temple built of marble, measuring 115 meters long, 46 meters wide and 40 meters high.

The ancient wonder was constructed in Ephesus, modern-day Turkey, which was an area prone to flooding. Around the 7th century BC, a massive flood ruined the temple. The Temple of Artemis was completely rebuilt by ancient architect, Cherisphron, during the 550s BC. 

In 356 BC, Herostratus, a man seeking fame through arson, set fire to the wooden interior beams of the temple. The temple was once again destroyed, until it was repaired by the Christians in Ephesus. However, the Christians eventually abandoned the temple. The temple slowly decayed until the only surviving remnants were a few pillars. Although not proven by historians, it is a common belief that some of these pillars were incorporated into the creation of the Hagia Sophia.

The ancient temple was largely forgotten until the 1860’s, when a British archaeologist rediscovered the remains buried in Turkey. Today, a pillar marks the site where the great temple once stood.