Marble torso of a smaller-than-life-size replica of Artemis Ephesia, the famous cult-statue of Ephesos. The stiff body is clad in a chiton and a tight garment (the so-called Ependytes) with two bands of reliefs featuring busts of bulls and rosettes. Two rows of chains decorate the upper chest draped with pinecones, acorns and a crescent as middle ornament. The latter extends to Artemis role as a moon goddess. The oval pedants hanging from her lower chest represent the testicles of bulls sacrificed to the goddess during the celebration of the mysteries, an idea that comes from Gerard Seiterle (Artemis - die Grosse Gottin von Ephesos, in: Antike Welt 10, 3,1979). The Ephesians believed that the testicles gave Artemis the procreative power to act as midwife for the rebirth of nature and as mistress of the animals. Late 2nd century A.D., Asia Minor. The head, arms and lower part of the body are missing.
Author: Asia Minor | Date: Late 2nd century A.D
