The Bible Database Project

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Demetrius
Illustration created for this project.

Demetrius

A silversmith of Ephesus who stirred up a riot against Paul, fearing for the trade in shrines of Artemis.

Role: Silversmith of Ephesus
Lived: 1st century
Born: Ephesus

What we know β€” and how we know it

Bible β€” stated in scripture (with verse) Β· 1 Archaeology β€” physical evidence Β· 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleA silversmith who made shrines of Artemis and stirred a riot against Paul, fearing the gospel would ruin his trade.
Acts 19:24–28
Temple of Artemis (Artemision) at Ephesus, site rediscovered and excavated by J. T. Wood for the British Museum, 1869–74 (Wood, 'Discoveries at Ephesus', 1877) and by D. G. Hogarth, 'Excavations at Ephesus: The Archaic Artemisia' (British Museum, 1908), finds in the British Museum; Ephesus' civic title neokoros ('temple-keeper', cf. Acts 19:35) attested on Ephesian coinage and inscriptions Roy Egloff β€” CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyThe Temple of Artemis at Ephesus β€” one of the Seven Wonders β€” and the city's devotion to her are richly attested; Ephesus styled itself the temple's 'keeper'.
Temple of Artemis (Artemision) at Ephesus, site rediscovered and excavated by J. T. Wood for the British Museum, 1869–74 (Wood, 'Discoveries at Ephesus', 1877) and by D. G. Hogarth, 'Excavations at Ephesus: The Archaic Artemisia' (British Museum, 1908), finds in the British Museum; Ephesus' civic title neokoros ('temple-keeper', cf. Acts 19:35) attested on Ephesian coinage and inscriptions
↳ Ephesus

Where in scripture

Acts3 John
Acts 19:24Acts 19:383 John 1:12

Places in their life