3 - “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The Vedii and the Goddess of Ephesos

Summary

This chapter examines the roles of the Vedii in the cult of Artemis, Ephesos' premier goddess. Members of the family were priestesses, prytaneis, kouretes, and festival presidents. In the late second century they gave major material gifts to the goddess: the so-called stoa of Damianus, which I argue was actually paid for by his wife, Vedia Phaedrina, a dining hall in the Artemision, and an inheritance. These gifts to Artemis show that the cult of Artemis was alive and well in late second century Ephesos. Furthermore, supporting the cult of the goddess in various ways allowed the members of the family to publicly demonstrate their devotion to the city's protectress, and to gratify their fellow citizens with festivals, banquets, and buildings.