ht of the ages,
the glory of the visible, the multitudinous glory of the invisible, the
great centre on which the universe revolves.'

CHAPTER XII

THE FESTIVAL OF ARTEMIS

The day was glorious, and the hearts of the Ephesian people were
brimming over with joy, for was not this the first day of the month
Artemision? Eager crowds of people read the great inscription, which ran
as follows:

'TO THE EPHESIAN DIANA.

'Inasmuch as it is notorious that not only among the people of Ionia,
but everywhere among the Greek nations, temples are dedicated to her,
on account of her plain manifestations of herself; and that, moreover,
in token of the great veneration paid to her, a month is called after
her name, by us Artemisiona, by the Macedonians and other Greek nations,
Artemision, in which general assemblies and hieromenia are celebrated.

'Now, inasmuch as these sacred honours are not observed in the holy
city, the nurse of its own, the Ephesian goddess; the people of Ephesus
deem it proper that the whole month called by her name be sacred and set
apart for the goddess; and have determined by this decree that the
observation of it by them be improved.

'THEREFORE, IT IS ENACTED that in the whole month Artemision the days be
holy, and nothing be attended to in them but the yearly feastings, the
Artemisial panegyrics and the hieromenia, the entire month being sacred
to the goddess; for, from this improvement in her worship, her cities
shall receive additional lustre and be permanent in their prosperity for
ever.'

* * * * *

Little crowds coming up from Smyrna and Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea,
from Militus on the coast and Samos on the sea, gathered around and read
this proclamation. The people of Ephesus felt themselves honoured by
their city being the Temple-home of the great goddess, and all gave
themselves up to rejoicing. And the day wore on.

From the great theatre, all the way through the city gate to the finest,
largest, and richest Temple ever reared, thousands of people in holiday
attire awaited with ardent desire for the great procession which was
heralded as it left the Temple.

And now it moves in all its magnificence and music, and symbols of the
ceremonies. First came choirs of the most beautiful youths and lovely
maidens clothed in white robes, singing responsively the praises of
their protect