Ephesus, in ancient times, gained fame for its religious ceremonies and festivals. The Artemisia festivities, held in honor of the city's patron goddess Artemis, were among the most magnificent events of the year. During these festivals, the cult statue of the goddess and sacred objects were paraded around the city accompanied by priests and priestesses, representing Artemis's visit to the city. These ceremonies, celebrated with great enthusiasm, included music, poetry, dance, and athletic competitions; the people would offer votive offerings and sacrifices to the goddess. The Artemis festival, repeated annually in Ephesus, was so important that during the Roman Empire, a decree issued in 162 AD extended the celebration from a few days to an entire month, thus making it one of the most splendid religious festivals of the Province of Asia. During these times, visitors from all over the world flocked to Ephesus: ancient sources indicate that on festival days in honor of Artemis, the city's population could triple its usual size. Indeed, thanks to the economic and social dynamism provided by the Artemis cult, Ephesus became not only a religious center but also a meeting point where cultural and commercial interactions occurred in a fair-like atmosphere.

During the Spring period, acknowledged in the ancient calendar as Artemis's birthday, special celebrations were held, and young girls and boys participated in processions dedicated to Artemis. In the Hellenistic and Roman eras, even the emperors valued these festivals; for instance, Emperor Commodus named and supported the Ephesus Artemis games. Through these religious holidays, the fame of the Ephesian Artemis spread throughout the Mediterranean, allowing visitors to both worship and acquaint themselves with the city's rich cultural heritage. Thus, the ceremonies dedicated to Artemis in Ephesus became an essential part of the city’s identity and shared cultural memory in the ancient world.


Ephesus, in ancient times, gained fame for its religious ceremonies and festivals. The Artemisia festivities, held in honor of the city's patron goddess Artemis, were among the most magnificent events of the year. During these festivals, the cult statue of the goddess and sacred objects were paraded around the city accompanied by priests and priestesses, representing Artemis's visit to the city. These ceremonies, celebrated with great enthusiasm, included music, poetry, dance, and athletic competitions; the people would offer votive offerings and sacrifices to the goddess. The Artemis festival, repeated annually in Ephesus, was so important that during the Roman Empire, a decree issued in 162 AD extended the celebration from a few days to an entire month, thus making it one of the most splendid religious festivals of the Province of Asia. During these times, visitors from all over the world flocked to Ephesus: ancient sources indicate that on festival days in honor of Artemis, the city's population could triple its usual size. Indeed, thanks to the economic and social dynamism provided by the Artemis cult, Ephesus became not only a religious center but also a meeting point where cultural and commercial interactions occurred in a fair-like atmosphere.

During the Spring period, acknowledged in the ancient calendar as Artemis's birthday, special celebrations were held, and young girls and boys participated in processions dedicated to Artemis. In the Hellenistic and Roman eras, even the emperors valued these festivals; for instance, Emperor Commodus named and supported the Ephesus Artemis games. Through these religious holidays, the fame of the Ephesian Artemis spread throughout the Mediterranean, allowing visitors to both worship and acquaint themselves with the city's rich cultural heritage. Thus, the ceremonies dedicated to Artemis in Ephesus became an essential part of the city’s identity and shared cultural memory in the ancient world.