Temple of Bacchus
| Temple of Bacchus | |
|---|---|
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|
| General information | |
| Type | Roman temple |
| Architectural style | Classical |
| Location |
Baalbek, Lebanon Heliopolis, Roman Phoenicia |
| Completed | late 2nd or early 3rd century |
| Height | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 66 by 35 m (217 by 115 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Main contractor | Commissioned by Antoninus Pius |
Temple of Bacchus may refer to any temple to the Roman wine god Bacchus or to temples of other gods with which he was equated in antiquity, such as the Greek Dionysus. However, it often refers specifically to the most famous temple of Bacchus, located in Roman Heliopolis (Baalbek).
The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, a World Heritage site, is one of the best preserved and grandest Roman temple ruins in the world. It and its ornamentation served as an influential model for Neoclassical architecture.
The temple was commissioned by Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and designed by an unknown architect and built close to the courtyard in front of the larger temple of Jupiter-Baal. The period of construction is generally considered between 150 AD to 250 AD. When the temple complex fell into disrepair, the Temple of Bacchus was protected by the rubble of the rest of the site's ruins. The temple is slightly smaller than Temple of Jupiter and is 66m long, 35m wide, and 31m high.
Its walls are adorned by forty-two unfluted Corinthian columns, nineteen of which remain upright in position standing 19 m high. The columns support a richly carved entablature. Inside, the cella is decorated with Corinthian "half-columns" flanking two levels of niches on each side, containing scenes from the birth and life of Bacchus. The adyton (inner shrine) stands above a flight of steps. Some historic Roman coins depict the structure of this temple along with Temple of Jupiter. The storm god Ba'al was worshipped in this temple.
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Wikipedia