The Greek Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, moon, and wilderness in Greek mythology, identified with the Roman goddess Diana. In Ephesus, however, the worship of Artemis had developed into a unique multi-breasted fertility deity — the most famous and powerful temple (the Artemision) was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Acts 19 presents the most dramatic clash between the gospel and pagan religion in the NT. Paul's preaching of Christ had converted so many Ephesians that the silversmiths who made shrines of Artemis saw their livelihood threatened (Acts 19:23-41). The riot that followed — the crowd shouting 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' (megalē hē Artemis Ephesiōn) for two hours — illustrates the economic and social power of false religion. The gospel is not merely theological but socially and economically disruptive when it converts people from idols to the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, written to this same city, makes no mention of Artemis by name — instead declaring Christ's supremacy over all powers (Ephesians 1:21; 6:12).