The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

This episode of Everything Everywhere Daily explores the storied history of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. From its origins in the 7th or 8th century BC to its final destruction in the 5th century AD, the temple endured multiple cycles of construction, destruction, and reinvention. It served not only as a religious sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Artemis but also as a financial institution, housing treasure and coins. The temple's most infamous destruction came in 356 BC when arsonist Herostratus set it ablaze in a bid for eternal notoriety—coincidentally on the same day Alexander the Great was born. Despite this, the temple was rebuilt on an even grander scale, featuring 127 towering columns and a massive statue of Artemis whose material remains debated. Later, it was plundered by the Goths in 262 AD, then ultimately dismantled by Christian monks under St. John Chrysostom after the Edict of Theodosius banned pagan worship. Though only scattered stones remain today, the temple's legacy lives on through archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and its enduring symbol of human ambition and devotion.