#artemis of ephesus

Artemis of Ephesus

A Roman copy of an original from the 2nd century BCE.

Musei Capitolini

What the bulbous protrusions on Artemis’ garment are still remains a matter of debate. Initially they were thought to be breasts and this assumption was prominent even in the later ancient period – the 4th/5th century CE Christian writer Jerome referred to her as πoλυμαστις (“many-breasted”) – and throughout most of the Early Modern period. Now, however, there are competing interpretations: eggs, bull’s testicles, beehives, and gourds.