Israeli airstrike nearly hits Baalbek Temple, damage investigated
The historic temple city of Baalbek, located in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, is considered “the most magnificent temple city in the world”, Lebanon, Jan. 19, 2018 (AA Photo)
Israel targeted the city of Baalbek, home to Lebanon’s most important historical ruins. An airstrike was carried out on the city where the ruins dating back to the Roman period are located, the Lebanese city Baalbek Governor Bashir Khodr announced the attack.
The governor announced that the attack took place in an area 500-700 meters from the Roman ruins.
The second-century A.D. Temple of Bacchus is part of the Baalbek archaeological site in the Bekaa Valley region of Lebanon.
The temple complex is regarded as one of the finest examples of Roman Imperial architecture.
Among its structures, the monumental temple dedicated to Bacchus stands out as one of the best-preserved and most magnificent Roman ruins. It is believed to have been constructed under the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius between 138 and 161 A.D.
Spanning 66 meters in length, 35 meters in width and 31 meters in height, the Temple of Bacchus is only slightly smaller than the neighboring Temple of Jupiter. The perimeter wall on the east-west axis is adorned with 42 unfluted Corinthian columns, 19 of which still retain their upright Ionic bases.
Inside, the temple is divided into a 30-meter-long nave and an 11-meter-long adytum, or sanctuary, which sits 2 meters above the nave and is reached by a staircase of 13 steps.
The temple’s grandeur is further highlighted by its richly adorned gate, featuring intricate carvings of Bacchus figures.
