Artemis of Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis, in modern day Turkey, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. However, Artemis of the temple, Artemis of Ephesus, is not the virgin huntress we usually associate with the name. At Ephesus, Artemis represents an older great mother goddess, more reminiscent of Cybele. She is associated with bulls and lions, like Inanna. Some sources identify her as a fertility goddess with many breasts, others say that the elliptical objects on her chest are bull testicles or eggs. There are also bees on her skirt, illustrating a possible connection with Hannahanna, another Anatolian great mother goddess.

Some images show Artemis of Ephesus with dark skin. Painting her, her facial features definitely felt African to me. My depiction is based on a 1st century BCE statue owned by the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. The temple was torn down by a Christian mob in 401 CE under orders from the archbishop and never rebuilt. Interestingly, Artemis's city of Ephesus is where Mary was named Mother of God, and her church was built near the ruins of Artemis's temple. Did Catholicism adopt the pagan great mother goddess, syncretizing her with Mary? Signs point to yes.

Artemis of Ephesus original painting. Prints and merch available in shop or through at Fine Art America.

1st century BCE statue of Artemis of Ephesus from the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, image source

Miniature model of the Temple of Artemis, in Ephesus. source

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