1843 Meyer print TEMPLE OF THE SUN, BAALBEK, LEBANON (#20) |
Nice print titled Der Sonnentempel zu Baalbeck, from steel engraving with fine detail and clear impression, nice hand coloring, approx. page size is 23.5 x 15 cm, approx. image size is 14.5 x 10 cm. From Meyer's Universum, published by Bibliographic Institute Hildburghausen Germany.
This print shows Temple of Bacchus, though it was traditionally referred to as the "Temple of the Sun" by Neoclassical visitors, who saw it as the best-preserved Roman temple in the world - it is surrounded by forty-two columns nearly 20 meters in height.
Temple of Bacchus
Temple of Bacchus may refer to any temple to the Greek and Roman
wine god Bacchus, an alternative name of the god Dionysus, or to temples of
other gods with which he was equated in antiquity. However, it often refers
specifically to the most famous temple of Bacchus, located in Roman Heliopolis
(current Baalbek, Lebanon).
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 the syncretic figure 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.
The Temple is enriched by some of the most refined reliefs and sculpture to
survive from antiquity. The temple is surrounded by forty-two columns—8 along
each end and 15 along each side —nearly 20 m (66 ft) in height. These were
probably erected in a rough state and then rounded, polished, and decorated in
position. The entrance was preserved as late as the 16th century, but the
keystone of the lintel had slid 2 ft (1 m) following the 1759 earthquakes; a
column of rough masonry was erected in the 1860s or '70s to support it. The 1759
earthquakes also damaged the area around the soffit's famed inscription of an
eagle, which was entirely covered by the keystone's supporting column. The area
around the inscription of the eagle was greatly damaged by the 1759 earthquake.
The interior of the temple is divided into a 98 ft (30 m) nave and a 36 ft (11
m) adytum or sanctuary on a platform raised 5 ft (2 m) above it and fronted by
13 steps.
In 1984, several ruins of Baalbek, including the Temple of Bacchus, were
inscribed as a World Heritage Site.
The temple is known for its impressive dimensions, richly decorated stone work
and monumental gate with Bacchic figures. The decorative stone carving includes
rows of lions and bulls, which were motifs symbolically associated with the two
deities.