Église des Grands-Carmes
Church building · 2nd Arrondissement of Marseille
Archaeological site
temple d'Artémis de Marseille
The Temple of Artemis Ephesia was a sanctuary in ancient Massalia, dedicated to Artemis. The sanctuary is connected to the mythology around the founding of the city of Massalia by the Greeks in the 7th century BCE. It was a temple dedicated to the Ephesian version of Artemis, and the cult of her in Massalia was closely connected to the cult of her in Ephesus. It was one of the three most important shrines in Massalia, alongside the Temple of Apollon Delphinios and the Temple of Athena. Strabo described the temple:
Massilia [in Gaul] was founded by the [Greek] Phokaians, and it is situated on a rocky place. Its harbour lies at the foot of a theatre-like rock which faces south... It is on the headland that the Ephesion [temple of Artemis Ephesia] and also a temple of Apollon Delphinios (of the Dolphins) are situated. The latter is shared in common by all Ionians, whereas the Ephesion is a temple dedicated solely to Artemis Ephesia (of Ephesos): for when the Phokaians were setting sail from their homeland an oracle was delivered to them, it is said, to use for their voyage a guide received from Artemis Ephesia; accordingly, some of them put in at Ephesos and inquired in what way...