Temples

Temple of Artemis: Transporting and Erecting the Columns

A reconstruction drawing of the magnificent Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. This monumental temple, constructed entirely of marble, gained fame as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its numerous columns and superstructure beams were assembled using the advanced engineering techniques of the era.

The installation of the marble columns and beams of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus showcases one of the most impressive engineering solutions applied in ancient times. As the massive column shafts, approximately 20 meters high, were transported to the site where they were to be erected, each was enclosed in a cylindrical wooden casing of its own length, with wheels fitted to both sides of the casing. In this way, the columns could be rolled horizontally along the road like a giant “roller” and moved from the quarry to the temple site with relative ease. Although stacking and erecting the column sections was relatively straightforward, raising the architrave blocks, each weighing many tons, to a height of 20 meters was extremely challenging. To achieve this, ancient craftsmen devised an ingenious method: The large architrave blocks were first placed into sturdy cylindrical wooden crates, which were then filled with sand. Subsequently, these crates were rolled up inclined wooden ramps built around the temple until they reached the tops of the column capitals. Upon reaching the targeted point, sand was gradually released from holes in the bottom of the crates. As the sand ran out, the architrave block descended in a controlled way and settled precisely into place on top of the columns. This method allowed the colossal architrave blocks to be elevated and placed atop the lofty columns without damage.

The construction of the Temple of Artemis entirely from marble and the use of such innovative assembly techniques highlight the pinnacle of architecture reached in the ancient world. Ephesian architects and engineers, employing the most advanced methods of their time, succeeded in building this magnificent temple, said to rise to the clouds. Consequently, the structures in Ephesus, whether due to the quality of materials or the masterful techniques applied, ranked among the most durable and magnificent architectural works of their era and remained celebrated for centuries.