I am a native in this world And think in it as a native thinks

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Artemis




The two large statues of Artemis in the museum were by far the most interesting exhibits. The Temple of Artemis that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World had been recognizably Greek, at least according to the models in the museum; this goddess most definitely was not. Instead of the virgin huntress with the short tunic and a quiver and bow, the Ephesian Artemis looked almost Egyptian.

This statue is from the first century AD, and those odd egg-like protuberances on her chest probably represent the amber beads that decorated earlier statues and not, as I first assumed, a couple dozen extra breasts.

I think that's a fitting end to Ephesus: something strange and completely unexpected.

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