TheTemple of Artemis in Sardis was the fourth largest Ionic temple in the world. Originally built in 300 BC by the ancient Greeks, the temple was renovated by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. During the Roman period it served also as a temple of the imperial cult.

History of the Temple of Artemis

Construction on the Temple of Artemis began in about334 BC, soon after Sardis was liberated from Alexander the Great. The original temple was probably adipteros - a temple with two rows of columns around an enclosed inner section. Unusually, the entrance was on the west side; a feature required by the nature of the site.

Just outside the entrance was analtar of Artemis much older than the temple, from as early as the 6th century BC. In the Hellenistic period the altar was incorporated into a large stepped platform that still exists.

Construction on the temple was abandoned during the late Hellenistic period, probably due to the decline of Seleucid patronage in Lydia. Construction resumed inc.175 BC but was again abandoned before completion. The temple was then damaged by an earthquake in 17 AD.

At some point during this period, Artemis shared her temple withZeus. This is based on an early inscription at the site honoring both Artemis and Zeus, and a large head of Zeus that was discovered in the temple.

The third and most impressive stage of construction began during the Roman period, in about 150 AD. The project was sparked by Sardis' gaining the prestigous title ofneokoros, "temple-warden." The neokoros status required Sardis to have a temple dedicated to the imperial family. The Temple of Artemis was thus divided into adouble temple: one half for Artemis and the Empress Faustina and the other half for Zeus and Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-61).

What to See at the Temple of Artemis

Most of what remains today dates from the Roman rebuild in the 2nd century. Only two completecolumns and a few partial ones still stand, but the temple remains an impressive sight against the backdrop of the acropolis.

On the western side of the temple is afreestanding altar to Artemis that dates from the 6th-5th century BC. Built against the southeast corner of the temple was a smallChristian chapel of the 4th century.