Legends and Mythology of Ephesus

The sanctuary of Artemis on the plain near Selcuk was one of the great cult centres of the ancient Mediterranean and was counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Its scale, its pilgrims and its economic weight are well attested.

The Ephesian Artemis is distinct in imagery from the huntress Artemis of Greek myth elsewhere, and statues of her from the site are displayed in the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk.

The city's foundation legend has the Ionian prince Androklos guided by an oracle whose riddle — a fish and a boar — leads him to the site. Ancient tradition also links Ephesus with the Amazons, who appear in its sculpture and civic mythology.

These are stories the ancient city told about its own origins. They are evidence of Ephesian identity, not accounts of events, and archaeology neither confirms nor is expected to confirm them.

Mythological figures appear across the excavated city: on the reliefs of the Temple of Hadrian façade, in fountain sculpture, on friezes and in reused blocks. A guided walk that names them turns decoration into a story the city was telling itself.

Where a relief's subject is uncertain, it should be described as uncertain. Confident naming of every figure is a sign of guesswork rather than knowledge.