Acts 19:24

Demetrius, a silversmith, called together the craftsmen concerned about their trade in shrines of Artemis. The word "shrines" refers to the inner sanctuary containing the goddess's statue. Small silver or terra-cotta representations of the temple contained tiny statues, worn as charms or placed in houses. The KJV translators used "Diana" for Artemis, the Greek name. Artemis worship was an Asiatic cult centered at Ephesus, with a magnificent temple considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The temple had priests, priestesses, attendants, and education for children. Large contributions supported the temple, and pilgrims purchased memorials. The image had many breasts above and a square column below, carved in wood and black with age. The first real blow to idolatry in Ephesus was Paul's work; later Nero robbed the temple, and Trajan sent its gates to Byzantium. Christianity's advance led to the temple's decline and eventual destruction by Goths and Turks. The city decayed, and the temple site was uncertain until recent excavations. Demetrius appealed to gain, the profit from their craft, which was threatened by Christianity.