Six Remaining Columns from the Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek, Lebanon
Why did the Romans create such a large temple complex here, of all places?
It is fitting that for the largest temple complex in the Roman Empire, Caesar would have the largest temples constructed. The Temple of Jupiter Baal ("Heliopolitan Zeus") itself was 290 feet long, 160 feet wide, and surrounded by 54 massive columns each of which were 7 feet in diameter and 70 feet tall. This made the Temple of Jupiter at Baalbek the same height as a 6-storey building, all cut from stone quarried nearby.
Only six of these titanic columns remain standing but even they are incredibly impressive. In the above picture, the right-hand color image shows just how small people are when standing next to these columns.
What was the point of creating such large temples and such a large temple complex? Was it supposed to please the Roman gods? Was it supposed to enhance the accuracy of the oracles given there? Rather than a purely religious purpose, maybe Caesar's reasons were also political. By creating such an impressive religious site which would draw many more visitors, perhaps one of his intentions was to solidify his political support in this region. Caesar did choose to station one of his legions in Baalbek, after all. Even today it can be difficult to disentangle politics and culture from religion; in the ancient world, it could be impossible.
Apparently Baalbek retained its religious significance throughout the Roman empire. Emperor Trajan, for example, stopped here in 114 CE on this way to confront the Parthians in order to ask the oracle whether his military efforts would prove successful.
In true oracular fashion, his response was a vine shoot that had been cut into several pieces. That could be read in any number of ways, but Trajan did defeat the Parthians -- and decisively, too.
It is fitting that for the largest temple complex in the Roman Empire, Caesar would have the largest temples constructed. The Temple of Jupiter Baal ("Heliopolitan Zeus") itself was 290 feet long, 160 feet wide, and surrounded by 54 massive columns each of which were 7 feet in diameter and 70 feet tall. This made the Temple of Jupiter at Baalbek the same height as a 6-storey building, all cut from stone quarried nearby.
Only six of these titanic columns remain standing but even they are incredibly impressive. In the above picture, the right-hand color image shows just how small people are when standing next to these columns.
What was the point of creating such large temples and such a large temple complex? Was it supposed to please the Roman gods? Was it supposed to enhance the accuracy of the oracles given there? Rather than a purely religious purpose, maybe Caesar's reasons were also political. By creating such an impressive religious site which would draw many more visitors, perhaps one of his intentions was to solidify his political support in this region. Caesar did choose to station one of his legions in Baalbek, after all. Even today it can be difficult to disentangle politics and culture from religion; in the ancient world, it could be impossible.
Apparently Baalbek retained its religious significance throughout the Roman empire. Emperor Trajan, for example, stopped here in 114 CE on this way to confront the Parthians in order to ask the oracle whether his military efforts would prove successful.
In true oracular fashion, his response was a vine shoot that had been cut into several pieces. That could be read in any number of ways, but Trajan did defeat the Parthians -- and decisively, too.
Source...