Marble roof tiles from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis

ca. early 3rd century BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 160

These fragments have been pieced together to exemplify the size and arrangement of the original tiles used to roof the temple. In antiquity, most roof tiles were made of terracotta. The use of local marble for those of this massive temple is but one indication of its lavishness and of the tremendous expense afforded in its construction.

The tiles have the usual form of separate pan and cover tiles (see drawing) but are larger than most known roof tiles from mainland Greece. The flat pan tiles with raised rims were laid one next to the other, atop wooden rafters in overlapping rows. The triangular cover tiles fit over the raised rims of the pan tiles and protected the joints. The underside of the cover tiles have a knob at the front, and the tops of the corresponding cover tiles are notched at the back (see drawing). This measure ensured that the cover tiles fit together and did not slip out of place.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Marble roof tiles from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis
Period: Hellenistic
Date: ca. early 3rd century BCE
Culture: Greek
Medium: Marble
Dimensions: 50 × 12 × 52 in., 550 lb. (127 × 30.5 × 132.1 cm, 249.5 kg)
Classification: Stone Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of The American Society for the Excavation of Sardis, 1926
Object Number: 26.59.10
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

Audio

1228. Overview: Sardis Architecture, Part 1

0:00

All the architectural fragments in this gallery were part of the vast Temple of Artemis at Sardis. It was one of the largest temples ever built in antiquity. High above on the wall in front of you are pieces of the temple’s marble roof tiles. They’ve been fitted together to give you an idea of their original size and placement. After you’ve listened to this stop, you might want to take the staircase to your left, to get an even better view of these roof tiles. Notice how they are laid in overlapping rows one on top of the other. In antiquity, roof tiles commonly were made of terracotta. The use of marble tiles for this massive temple is but one indication of its lavishness.

Now take a look at the two fragments of moldings affixed to the wall beneath the roof tiles. Looking around the room, you will see examples of this egg and dart molding design. Comparing the size of this architectural feature you can imagine the immense scale of the Temple of Artemis at Sardis.

To hear about the other fragments on the wall in front of you, press the PLAY button now.

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