Temple of Bacchus

The Temple of Bacchus is part of the Baalbek archaeological site, in Beqaa Valley region of Lebanon [1]. The temple complex is considered an outstanding archaeological and artistic site of Imperial Roman Architecture and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 [1]. It is one of the best preserved and grandest Roman temple ruins; its age is unknown, but its fine ornamentation can be dated to the second century CE [1]. The temple was probably commissioned by Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius [1]. The temple continued in use until destroyed by fire in 554 [1]. The Temple of Bacchus was possibly protected by the rubble of the rest of the site's ruins [1]. It was not until 1898–1903 that a German expedition excavated two of the large temples and began reconstructions on the site [1]. The temple is 66 m long, 35 m wide and 31 m high, making it only slightly smaller than the Temple of Jupiter [1].