ANNIVERSARIES

21 JULY 356 BC

The Temple of Artemis burns to the ground

An arsonist desperate for eternal fame sets one of the seven wonders of the world ablaze

For the people of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis was a source of immense local pride. Reportedly built by the extraordinarily rich king Croesus, it was said to have been made largely of marble, boasting huge pillars. In the centre stood the colossal figure of Artemis the huntress, made from blackened wood.

For visitors, there were few better attractions in the Greek world. Pilgrims brought jewellery as a gift for the goddess; refugees came to seek sanctuary. No wonder the Greeks ranked it as one of the seven wonders of the world.

But on 21 July 356, disaster struck.