The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon, is a magnificent Roman temple ruin
dedicated to the god Bacchus, the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Dionysus.
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The entrance to the Temple of Bacchus in the 1870s, United States Library of Congress
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Constructed during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (c. 150 AD), the temple, which is renowned for its
well-
preserved Corinthian columns, is part of the larger Baalbek complex.
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| The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon |
These Corinthian columns are 19.5 meters (64 feet) and feature intricate friezes depicting scenes from Bacchus' life.
This temple, however, is actually the second largest of the three main
temples at the site.
The Temple of Jupiter, on the site, was the biggest temple dedicated to Jupiter in all the Roman Empire. The other temple at the site is the Temple of Venus.
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| The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon |
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| The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon |
Sadly, further archaeological investigations of this World Heritage site
are hindered by civil unrest in the region.
