The  Temple of Bel   Temples Theater Tombs Museum Desert Palaces   The Temple of Bel was devoted to a divinity of Babylonian origin. It consisted of a wide elevated esplanade and the temple proper (cella) with its ritual accessories: the alter of sacrifices and the sacred pool. The esplanade is a colossal one in the form of a square with 225 m. long walls, decorated with Corinthian pilasters, at the outside, and lined inside with porticos with double rows of Corinthian columns, except on the west side where the gallery includes a single row. It is recognizable by its three doors. These monumental doors were modified in the 12th century when the Arabs erected a bastion. The building of the temple proper is at least fifty years older than that of its enclosure walls. The pedestal of a statue mentions the date of 45 AD. and reminds us that the temple was dedicated to the Palmyranian triad: Bel, Yarhibol and Aglibol, in 32 AD. The door located at the left of the Arab bastion opens on the enclosure. Towards the bottom of the esplanade is the cella or sanctuary proper, remarkable for its very particular sculpted ornaments. At the right of the entrance of the Cella you will find bas-reliefs where you will notice (from left to right) two praying persons in Parthian costume, the god Malakbel, god of Fertility associated with the lunar god Aglibol clad in Roman fashion. Another bas-relief, behind the first, shows a procession with a camel and veiled women. On the ceiling of the sort of tabernacle which constituted the Holy of Hollies of the temple, you will notice the fine relieves of the seven planets surrounded with the twelve signs of the zodiac.     Next
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