Baalbeck

Baalbeck, Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure, can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. The gods worshipped here were the Triad of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury.
 

Baalbeck’s temples were built on an ancient tell that goes back at least to the end of the third millennium B.C.

An enclosed court was built on the ancient tell. An alter was set in the center of this court in the tradition of the biblical Semitic high places. During the Hellenistic period (333-46 B.C. ) the Greeks identified the god of baalbeck with the Sun God and the city was called Heliopolis or City of the Sun.

Over the ancient court, the Romans placed the present Great Court of the Temple of Jupiter.

The Great Court Complex of the Temple of Jupiter altars and basins, was built in the 2^nd century A.D. The Propylaea and the Hexagonal Court of the Jupiter Temple were added in the 3^rd century. Work was completed in the mid-3^rd century. The small circular structure known as the Temple of Venus, was probably finished at this time as well.

The temple complex of Baalbeck is made up of the Jupiter Temple and the Bacchus Temple adjacent to it. A short distance away is the circular structure known as the Temple of Venus. Only part of the staircase remains of a fourth temple dedicated to Mercury, on Sheikh Abdallah hill.