In Greek mythology the goddess Artemis (also called Diana) was a beautiful but elusive virgin goddess of the woodlands, a kind of divine tomboy.
But there was another Artemis, a fertility goddess with many breasts. The book of Acts describes how the apostle Paul visited Ephesus, a center of her worship.
The apostles had made many Christian converts in Ephesus, which irked a local silversmith named Demetrius.
He and other craftsmen made their living from selling Artemis shrines, and he saw the Christians (who would not worship idols) as a threat to his trade.
He instigated a riot, leading the pro-Artemis citizens in shouting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” They kept up the chant for a solid two hours—a king of religious pep rally (Acts 19:34 NIV).
