Athena Review Image Archive ™
Baalbek: Temple of Bacchus, plan
Baalbel: Temple of Bacchus, plan (Athena Review Image Archive)
The 2nd century Temple of Bacchus (the Greek god Dionysius) at Baalbek is often considered the best-preserved Roman temple of its size (109 by 264 ft or 36 by 87 m). Its peristyle of forty-two unfluted Corinthian columns (nineteen still standing) flanks largely well-preserved exterior walls. The temple was roofed with cedar trusses.
The temple entrance is approached from the east by a stairway of 33 steps divided into three stages. The approach to the cella or worship room leads through a monumental portal almost 14 meters high.The inner side walls of the ante-cella are divided into bays by projected Corinthian half-columns to produce a series of superimposed niches, round-headed below, angled (pedimented) above, the latter originally containing statues. The adytum (in this case, the highest, main room of the cella), containing mosaics and carvings of Bacchus, is approached by an additional stairway.
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