Ephesus: Artemeseion (Temple of Artemis) during excavation, showing sculptures
| Department | Archive |
|---|---|
| Collection | BSA SPHS Image Collection |
| Reference No. | BSA SPHS 01/1573.4023 |
| Level | Item |
| Description | Glass positive, full plate size, possibly a copy made from a negative. |
| Dimensions | 21.5 x 16 cm |
| Place |
Artemision at Ephesus Ephesus |
| Dates | 1871 |
| Donor/Creator |
The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies |
| Scope and Content | The original description in the SPHS register reads: "Ephesus: Artemeseion, during excavations: shews sculptures". |
| Notes | Date is based on J.T. Wood's discussion of excavations of the Temple of Diana (Artemis) in his book, Discoveries at Ephesus. The sculpted items were executed as lithographs in the publication: the sculpted frieze in the left hand of the photograph shows Heracles struggling with an Amazon (plate opposite p. 188); fragments of the Ionic column capital to the right (shown pieced together in plate opposite p. 196). It is a possibility that the photographer was the Armenian photographer from Smyrna whom Wood mentions arrived to photograph a column base (p. 178) or Corporal J. Trotman, a sapper working with Wood who had also produced numerous photographs at the time. Note: many of Trotman's images were also donated to the SPHS. |
| Further information | The temple of Artemis (Artemision) in Ephesus near Ayasuluk hill was known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Archaeological evidence suggests it was sacred since the Bronze Age ddicated to a local deity who later became associated with the Greek Artemis. The oldest remains of the actual temple date to the 6th c. and later embellished by Croesus of Lydia who donated a series of columns decorated with relief sculture. It was extensively rebuilt following its destruction by fire set by the aronist Herostratus. Artemision, was a particularly popular pilgrim destination until it was destroyed by the Goths in 268 AD. Finally, the closure of the temple by the Christians marked the end of paganism. Spolia from the temple were used in the construction of other buildings, including some columns in Hagia Siphia in Constantinople, Parts of the temple’s architecture and sculture are in the British Museum from excavations by J.T. Wood in the 1870s and D.G. Hogarth in 1904-1906. |
| Reference |
1904 JHS 24: Catalogue of Slides. lxxxviii.SPHS 4023. Link to article 1913 JHS 33: Catalogue of Slides. 17.SPHS 4023. Link to article |