Column from a temple of Artemis
- Audio guide stop: 281
- Gallery: Room 22
- Culture: Hellenistic
- Date: 340BC-320BC
- Object type: column
- Materials: marble
- Museum number: 1872,0803.9
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you stands a marble column drum dating to around 340 to 320 BC. It was part of the Later Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and shows a richly detailed scene from classical mythology.
The design features a draped woman, possibly representing Alcestis or Eurydike, flanked by Thanatos—Death—and Hermes Psychopompos, the god who guides souls to the underworld. Below them, Persephone is seated with Plouton, the Greek name for Hades.
The intricate carving showcases Hellenistic craftsmanship, with a focus on lifelike forms and expressive movement. Draped figures and careful use of marble texture highlight the sculptor’s skill.
This beautiful drum was donated to the museum by John Turtle Wood. Its original home was at the Sanctuary of Artemis, one of the great wonders of the ancient world.
See it in person
Column from a temple of Artemis is on display in Room 22 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and type its audio guide stop number, 281, from the gallery label, or take a photo of it, to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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