1. THE TEMPLE OF BACCHUS AT BAALBEK

2. BASIC FACTS dates from about 150 AD. dates from about 150 AD. is built from local limestone. is built from local limestone. is 65.2m by 33.5m, and 31m high - much bigger than the Maison Carree (only 12.3m high). is 65.2m by 33.5m, and 31m high - much bigger than the Maison Carree (only 12.3m high). the temples size serves to remind the Semitic citizens of Syria of the grandeur and power of Rome. the temples size serves to remind the Semitic citizens of Syria of the grandeur and power of Rome.

3. Our temple stood next to the major temple of this site, the temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus.

4. THE TEMPLE HAS SOME SIMILARITIES WITH THE MAISON CARREE… has a high podium (5m). has a high podium (5m). has a deep entrance porch. has a deep entrance porch. has a frontal aspect. has a frontal aspect.

5. WHY WAS IT NAMED AFTER BACCHUS…? because of the fact that sculptural reliefs representing the gods birth and scenes from his life decorate the entrances to the cella and to the inner shrine. because of the fact that sculptural reliefs representing the gods birth and scenes from his life decorate the entrances to the cella and to the inner shrine. but some think it may be a temple to Venus. but some think it may be a temple to Venus.

6. THE PORCH the front row of the porch has a row of unfluted Corinthian columns. the front row of the porch has a row of unfluted Corinthian columns. behind this is a second row of fluted Corinthian columns. behind this is a second row of fluted Corinthian columns. a further column is set in front of the projecting side walls. a further column is set in front of the projecting side walls. the ceiling is elaborately decorated with framed busts of Mars, Ceres, Vulcan, Ganymede etc. the ceiling is elaborately decorated with framed busts of Mars, Ceres, Vulcan, Ganymede etc.

7. EASTERN INFLUENCE ON THE TEMPLE the sheer size of the temple. the sheer size of the temple. entrance way to the temple rises in three flights. entrance way to the temple rises in three flights. two towers on either side of the doorway. two towers on either side of the doorway. exterior colonnade of unfluted columns is free standing like a Greek temple and not engaged. exterior colonnade of unfluted columns is free standing like a Greek temple and not engaged. the placement of cult image in adyton. the placement of cult image in adyton. the use of local stone. the use of local stone.

8. WHAT WAS ON THE INSIDE much of the minor decorative relief sculpture has remained intact. much of the minor decorative relief sculpture has remained intact. an internal engaged-colonnade runs along the side walls. an internal engaged-colonnade runs along the side walls. the two side walls are divided into two levels: the two side walls are divided into two levels: the upper row of pedimented niches. the upper row of pedimented niches. the bottom row of arched niches that held statues. the bottom row of arched niches that held statues. a thick band of acanthus runs around the top of the cella. a thick band of acanthus runs around the top of the cella. the projecting engaged columns and the recesses give the interior a feeling of movement. the projecting engaged columns and the recesses give the interior a feeling of movement. the deeply carved decoration produces the effect of light and shade. the deeply carved decoration produces the effect of light and shade.

9. the shrine, or adyton, was set on a higher level at the western end of the cella. the shrine, or adyton, was set on a higher level at the western end of the cella. it had an elaborate canopy made from marble that housed the statue. it had an elaborate canopy made from marble that housed the statue. it was approached by a set of nine steps that ran the full breadth of the room. it was approached by a set of nine steps that ran the full breadth of the room. the shrine itself was raised on its own podium and was approached by another set of stairs. the shrine itself was raised on its own podium and was approached by another set of stairs. INNER SHRINE

10. INTERESTING POINTS ABOUT THE INSIDE the cella is twice as long as it is wide. the cella is twice as long as it is wide. the height is the same as the width. the height is the same as the width. the ceiling could have been vaulted or flat. the ceiling could have been vaulted or flat. the side walls of the cella project out to form an ‘antae’ in the front. the side walls of the cella project out to form an ‘antae’ in the front. the two towers on either side of the entrance. the two towers on either side of the entrance. the cult image wasn’t placed in the centre of the cella but in the adyton. the cult image wasn’t placed in the centre of the cella but in the adyton.

11. two towers either side of the entrance (Eastern) ADYTON: - shrine within the cella where the cultic statue was kept (Eastern) Cella multilevel (Eastern) exterior colonnade: peripteral (Greek) Deep porch (Roman) antae Built on a high (5m) podium (Roman)

12. A LOT OF DETAIL IS LOST the cult statue has not survived. the cult statue has not survived. only one statue remains from niches, that of a seated goddess. only one statue remains from niches, that of a seated goddess.