(Heliopolis) in the northern Biqaʾ (Bekaa valley, Lebanon) was an ancient Phoencian cult site for Baal. Construction of the monumental temple of Zeus, the largest in antiquity, began in the 3rd century bce and was completed between the 1st and 3rd cent. ce; in the 2nd cent. ce further temples were erected, while the city acquired colonnaded streets and public buildings. According to Eusebius of Caesarea (Vita Constantini III 58), Constantine the Great had a temple to Aphrodite torn down to make room for a church (location unknown, no remains exist). A…
Baalbek(174 words)
Cite this page
Koch, Guntram, “Baalbek”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_01383>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013
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