Definition: The temple of Artemis at Ephesus* -- known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world -- was designed by Chersiphron of Crete, funded by the Lydian King Croesus, and built starting c. 550 B.C. Pheidias (Phidias), who built one of the 7 wonders, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, and Polycleitus (Polyclitus) were among the great artists whose bronze sculptures adorned the (possibly) 400' x 200' marble temple of Artemis. There were approximately 127 columns with Ionic capitals.
On July 21, 356 B.C., the day Alexander the Great was born, a man named Herostratus burned down the temple. A new temple of Artemis, designed by Dinocrates, was built in its place.
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*For the location of Ephesus, see Ic on Map of Greek and Phoenician Settlements in 550 B.C.
