100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
82. Diana’s Temple in Ephesus
In Acts 19, we read of Paul’s preaching in the city of Ephesus, and how it disturbed the silversmiths whose occupation included the manufacture of silver statues of the goddess Diana. Demetrius, the spokesman of the group states in verse 27:
“…not only this craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.”
The temple was indeed lost for many centuries but was at last discovered in the late 1800’s to the northeast of the city, in the low ground at the base of the hill of Ayassoluk A. Excavations at the site now allow a fairly complete plan to be drawn. The platform was 418 feet long and 239 feet wide. From this platform a flight of ten steps led to the pavement, then three more steps up led to the temple platform. The temple itself was about 343 feet long and 164 feet wide, and contained 100 columns six feet in diameter. The sanctuary was seventy feet wide and the alter 20 feet square.
It was this magnificent structure that Demetrius feared would be despised. The words of his fellow Ephesians in response to his complaints, “Great Diana of the Ephesians!” (19:28), was apparently a common formula of devotion and prayer in that time, as inscriptional evidence reveals B.
82. Diana’s Temple in Ephesus - Notes and References
A. “This story [in Acts 19] fired English architect J.T. Wood with a desire to investigate the Temple of Artemis [Diana], which was widely reknown in the ancient world. The British museum put funds at his disposal for this enterprise, and in the beginning of May 1863 Wood landed on the coast opposite the island of Samos. If he had not been so incredibly persistent and obsessed with his purpose he might well have never achieved it. For six long years he dug down doggedly layer after layer of what was left of the old masonry of the old city – and found nothing. Eventually while digging in the old amphitheatre, the site of the riot, he found a signpost which put him on the right road. An inscription listed several gold and silver images of Artemis from two to six pounds of weight which were to be offered as a gift to the goddess and placed in the temple…They were carried through the Magnesian Gate…Wood searched for the gate and found it, followed the prescribed route and found himself a mile northeast of the city…Under nearly 25 feet of soil and rubble he came upon a magnificent pavement, the bases of massive pillars, and great stone cylinders adorned with sculptures: the Temple of Artemis.” Werner Keller, “The Bible as History”, New Revised English Translation, Hodder and Stoughton, 1980,.p.359
J.A. Thompson, “The Bible and Archaeology”, Eerdmans Publishing, 1962, pp.398, 400
B. “ ‘Great Artemis’ was a common formula of devotion and prayer, as is attested by several inscriptions; and it gives a more natural and far more effective tone to the scene.” Sir William Ramsey, St. Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen”, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1962,p. 279