Shrines, Silver

Silver shrines of Artemis (Diana) were miniature reproductions of the great temple of Artemis at Ephesus, sold to pilgrims and worshippers as votive objects and souvenirs. Acts 19:23–27 records that a silversmith named Demetrius, who made these silver shrines, stirred up a riot in Ephesus when Paul's preaching of the gospel began to threaten the trade. Demetrius warned his fellow craftsmen that not only their business was in danger but also the reputation of the great goddess Artemis herself. The ensuing uproar — the crowd chanting Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! for two hours in the theater — illustrates both the economic entanglement of idol-worship and the social disruption that the gospel caused in cities where it took hold.