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Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Artemis Polymastros |
Object ID# |
MC 0292.1 |
Date |
200 BC-AD 200 |
Description |
Artemis, the many-breasted patron deity of Ephesus, was in essence an Anatolian fertility goddess-very different from the Artemis, goddess of hunting and the moon, found in Greek texts. Ephesian silversmiths sold replicas statues of Artemis to pilgrims visiting her temple. They incited a riot in opposition to Paul and the Gospel of Christ for the adverse effect it was having on their business (cf. Acts 19:34). To the east of Ephasus lay the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. "They all cried out with one voice, 'Great is Artemis (Diana) of the Ephesians'" (Acts 19:34). Rioting against Paul and his Christianity, screaming mobs swarmed on the marble-paved Arcadian Way and poured into the Great Theatre of Ephesus. Soon the chant of Diana's worshippers rolled like thunder through the vast sweep of seats-66 rows that terrace Mount Pion. Ruins now litter the slope where 25,000 watched dances and rites honouring the goddess. Weed and water pave the Arcadian Way, on which marched 1,735 feet, flanked by columns and torch lit at night. But Diana-Artemis, "the many-breasted Mother of Asia"-survives in marble. Animal images invoke her as goddess of nature and guardian of wildlife. |
Place of Origin |
Ephesus Turkey |
Medium |
Statuette |
Material |
Marble (orig.) // Resin (copy) |
Metzger Location |
Christian History |
Location of Original |
Archaeological Museum Ephesus |
Dimensions Details |
H 233-W 58-D 60 mm |