Mysterious Greek Inscription May Reveal Lost Temple of a Roman Emperor
Summary
A recent analysis of a Greek inscription suggests that the Great Mosque of Homs is built on the site of the Roman Temple of the Sun, highlighting the rich tapestry of pagan, Christian, and Islamic worship in ancient Emesa.
Key Insights
What is the significance of Emesa in relation to the Roman emperor mentioned?
Emesa, the ancient name for modern Homs in Syria, was the center of worship for the sun god Elagabalus, whose high priest, also named Elagabalus, became Roman emperor in the third century AD, and the temple was central to the city's religious and political life.[1][2][3][5]
Sources:
[1]
How did the religious site in Homs evolve from a Roman temple to the current Great Mosque?
The site transitioned from a pagan Roman Temple of the Sun dedicated to Elagabalus in Emesa, to a Christian church during the Roman and early Byzantine periods, and finally to the medieval Great Mosque of al-Nuri, with a newly discovered Greek inscription supporting spatial continuity across these phases.[1][2][4][5]
Sources:
[1]