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Roman Aqueduct near Ephesus |
There is an abundance of guides to the ruins of Ephesus. This blog is not intended to be another one. Instead, I’m offering a series of personal encounters with specific buildings, or mini-locations, throughout the site. For example, let’s start with Artemis, the great goddess herself. Although closely associated with Diana, the Roman hunter goddess, also known as Artemis, sister of Apollo, a bow in her hand and a deer in her sights. She is not that Artemis. She’s Anatolian Artemis, neither Greek nor Roman, but fondly adopted by the multicultural population of Ephesus.
Artemis |
If they are not breasts, what are they? Grapes? Eggs? Or, as one theory suggests, bulls’ testicles? I put the question of my friend Islam, a wise and experienced tour guide.* He answered, “Breasts, grapes, eggs, bulls’ testicles, all of the above!” I got the point: they are not representational; they are symbols of fertility. This Artemis appears in the first story of Life and Death in Ephesus, “Herostratus,” the story behind the destruction of her temple.
* Islam welcomes guests to his farmhouse B&B: www.villademeter.com. Tell him I sent you.