Ruins of the temple are still one of the most remarkable monuments left of the ancient city of Gerasa.
Artemis was the patron goddess of the city and was highly esteemed by the Hellenistic population of Gerasa, while Semitic part of the population preferred Zeus. Construction of the temple was finished in CE 150, during the reign of roman emperor Antoninus Pius. The temple was built on one of the highest points and dominated the whole city.