Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek

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TofBWhen was this temple constructed?

Date: Begun ca.AD

To whom was it dedicated and how is this shown?

Identification of the cult of the Temple as that of Bacchus (the Greek ) is uncertain
* it is based on sculptural reliefs representing the god's and scenes from his which decorate the entrances to the cella and to the inner shrine within the cella.

What larger complex was it part of?

The Temple stands close to the major temple of the site, that of , some of whose features it shares, although on a slightly smaller scale. It was built in limestone.

How is this temple similar to the one at Nimes?

Superficially, the Temple of 'Bacchus' is comparable to the earlier, Hellenised Italic type of temple encountered in the 'Maison Carree' at Nimes . It has:
* a high (c.5m)
* a deep entrance
* a aspect

In what way is it different from the one at Nimes?

In detail it reveals important differences, some of which reveal , rather than Roman, influence. Everything, of course is on a grander scale:
* the entrance stairway on the east rises in flights to a porch
* a front row of unfluted columns masks a further row of Corinthian columns
* a further column is set in front of each of the projecting -walls of the cella (the antae)
* the exterior colonnade of unfluted columns is not (as in the 'Maison Carree), but free-standing, more in the manner of a temple

Internally what parts of the original structure and decoration are preserved?

* an internal colonnade of engaged is set over , flanking niches on two levels
* this creates a series of recessed planes which lends to the interior walls a sense of that is encountered in the very different but nearly contemporary Pantheon in

What feature shows Eastern influence in the planning of the Temple?

An important feature, which reveals Eastern influence in the planning of the Temple, is the inner shrine () where the cult statue was housed:
* set at a higher level at the western end of the cella, it was approached by a set of steps running the full breadth of the cult room
* the shrine itself was raised on its own , and entered via a further staircase

Why do we have to guess at many of the details?

Beyond this, many of the details in the reconstructed view are conjectural, because of the loss of the original material:
* the statue has not survived
* nor have the statues which presumably decorated the of the cella walls
* except for one of a seated
* much of the minor decorative sculpture, is still preserved

What unusual features were there in the interior of the Temple?

The Corinthian half-columns, the canopy over the stature and the flat wooden ceiling with inset.