Croesus, the king of Lydia, is associated with rebuilding the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
The temple was repeatedly rebuilt after earlier structures were damaged or destroyed. Herodotus and other ancient traditions connect Croesus with the large sixth-century BC reconstruction at Ephesus, a wealthy Greek city in western Anatolia under Lydian influence.
This version of the temple was celebrated for its exceptional scale and decoration. It used numerous columns and became one of the most famous sanctuaries dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess associated with hunting, nature, and childbirth. The site’s religious importance attracted visitors and offerings from across the ancient world.
The temple was later destroyed by arson in 356 BC, traditionally linked to Herostratus. A subsequent reconstruction produced the version most often identified with the Wonder, but it too was eventually damaged and dismantled.