Get Sleepy: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (Seven Wonders #7)

Podcast: Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Host: Slumber Studios (Read by Thomas)
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode concludes the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" series by taking listeners on a gentle, meditative journey to the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. Through evocative, immersive storytelling, host Thomas guides listeners back to 1st-century BCE Anatolia, encouraging relaxation while exploring both the history and sensory details of the legendary temple. The narrative is designed to induce calm and sleepiness, blending historical facts with vivid, dreamlike descriptions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Setting the Mood (05:22 – 08:00)

• Thomas invites listeners to relax, offering a short breathing exercise and body awareness technique to help settle in.
• From the start, the tone is soothing and nurturing, focusing on comfort and presence:
  • Quote: "Give yourself thanks for taking the time to be present. You deserve this moment of respite for just being yourself each and every day. That is enough and you are enough." (07:37)

2. Arrival in Ancient Ephesus (08:05 – 13:15)

• The listener is transported to a sunlit courtyard in Ephesus, dressed in Roman garments, surrounded by scents of fruit trees and the salty Ionian Sea.
• The majestic Temple of Artemis appears—gleaming white marble, a striking hilltop presence, and surrounded by manicured lawns.

3. A Brief History of Ephesus and the Temple (13:20 – 19:50)

• Thomas shares legendary and historical accounts of Ephesus’ founding—myths of Prince Androcles and the Amazons, tying local lore to the temple’s origins.
• The temple's history unfolds:
  • Built, destroyed, and rebuilt multiple times across centuries.
  • The first entirely marble temple, central to Ephesus' role as a Greek, then Roman, hub.
  • Herostratus’ infamous arson for notoriety, “Herostratic fame,” and theories contesting his guilt.
• Memorable Fact: "The Ephesians declined Alexander the Great's offer to rebuild the temple, saying it would be improper for one god to build a temple to another." (19:02)

4. Architectural Wonders and Ritual Life (19:55 – 29:34)

• Detailed sensory walkthrough of the exterior: 127 massive, decorated columns, vibrant painted sculptures, and sacred cypress trees.
• The narrator marvels at the craftsmanship, logistics, and endurance of the structure:
  • Quote: "The Temple of Artemis as you see it now is one of the most impressive feats in the history of engineering. It is enormous, nearly 140 metres long and 70 meters wide." (24:52)
• Atmosphere of reverence and daily ritual, with visitors bringing offerings—highlighting both the temple’s spiritual and communal role.

5. Exploration of the Inner Temple (29:35 – 37:45)

• The listener passes by fire-lit columns, hears the music of the aulos (double-reed flute), and savors the scent of incense:
  • Quote: "The aroma of cinnamon is comforting and distinctive. It's spicy, yet sweet, both light and heady." (33:11)
• The sense of sacred space is heightened by visual and olfactory details, with firelight making the gilded decorations shimmer.

6. Encounter with the Statue of Artemis (37:46 – 44:00)

• The heart of the temple—meeting the awe-inspiring statue of Artemis:
  • Notable for its unique, regionally distinct, multi-symbolic design.
  • Covered in jewels and animal motifs, the statue commands both respect and a sense of protection.
• Vivid inventory of offerings laid at the goddess’s feet—flowers, precious oils, barley, wine, coins—evoking the continuance of devotion over centuries.

7. Reflection, Legacy, and Closing (44:01 – 52:36)

• The narrative closes in peaceful reverie on the lawn, as the sun sets and history’s weight and wonder settle in:
  • The temple stands as a symbol of endurance, beauty, and cultural memory—even after partial destruction.
  • The poem of Antipater of Sidon—who ranked Artemis’s temple as the greatest of the ancient wonders—is recited:
    • Notable Quote:
      "When I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds,
      those other marvels lost their brilliancy.
      Apart from Mount Olympus the sun never looked on aught so grand." (49:23)
• The final moments focus on drifting into sleep, lulled by the imagined sounds and scents of Ephesus, a gentle invitation to slumber.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Compassion and Rest:
  "You deserve this moment of respite for just being yourself each and every day. That is enough and you are enough."
  — Thomas (07:37)

• On Ancient Engineering:
  "The Temple of Artemis as you see it now is one of the most impressive feats in the history of engineering. It is enormous, nearly 140 metres long and 70 meters wide."
  — Thomas (24:52)

• On Myth Versus History:
  "The Ephesians declined Alexander the Great's offer to rebuild the temple, saying it would be improper for one god to build a temple to another."
  — Thomas (19:02)

• On Sensory Detail:
  "The aroma of cinnamon is comforting and distinctive. It's spicy, yet sweet, both light and heady."
  — Thomas (33:11)

• On Enduring Legacy:
  "When I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds,
  those other marvels lost their brilliancy.
  Apart from Mount Olympus the sun never looked on aught so grand."
  — Antipater of Sidon (49:23, quoted by Thomas)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 05:22 – Guided Relaxation Begins
• 08:05 – Journey to Ephesus/Arrival in the Courtyard
• 13:20 – Founding Legends and Temple History
• 19:55 – Architectural Details and First Impressions
• 29:35 – Entering the Inner Temple
• 37:46 – The Statue of Artemis
• 44:01 – Legacy, Reflections, and Final Meditation
• 49:23 – Recitation of Antipater’s Poem
• 51:00 – Closing, Sleep Induction & Ambient Soundscape

Summary in Tone

The episode maintains a tranquil, evocative cadence throughout. Rich descriptive imagery, gentle encouragement, and historical reverence coalesce, immersing the listener in ancient Ephesus while providing an ideal environment for relaxation and sleep.

Perfect for: Listeners seeking calming, literary sleep stories or those interested in ancient history communicated in a soothing, sensory-rich narrative.