Who created the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus?

Answer 1

According to the New Testament, the appearance of the first Christian missionary in Ephesus caused locals to fear for the temple's dishonor.

The second-century Acts of John includes a story of the temple's destruction: the apostle John prayed publicly in the very Temple of Artemis, exorcising its demons and "of a sudden the altar of Artemis split in many pieces... and half the temple fell down," instantly converting the Ephesians, who wept, prayed or took flight.

Over the course of the fourth century, perhaps the majority of Ephesians did convert to Christianity; all temples were declared closed by Theodosius I in 391.

In 401, the temple in its last version was finally destroyed by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom, and the stones were used in construction of other building.

Answer 2

It was destroyed by a man called Herostratus who wanted to make a name for himself. He set the temple on fire. There's an English term related to Herostratus 'Herostratic fame',which means ' fame at any cost'.

Answer 3

Chersiphron and his son Metagenes are given credit for it's second phase of construction.