Maqâm er-Rab ("shrine of the Lord")
Beit Jallouk, Lebanon
160 CE
Situated nn the valley of Akkar, Maqâm er-Rab was a Hexastyle Pseudodipteral peripteral Temple of an original order, dedicated probably to Athena as the main deity, surrounded by a rectangular enclosure. It is built in basalt, which sets it apart from other Lebanese shrines and is surrounded by tombs from the Roman period.
The sanctuary peribolus wall is a rectangular enclosure with the northern and southern sides being longer. At least two monumental gates were built in the eastern wall of the peribola. A temple, facing south-east, stands in the middle axis of the courtyard, shifting towards the back, to the west. It is on a podium, the bottom of the cella of which is occupied by the platform of an adyton, above a crypt.
The peristyle consisted of a double row of six columns on the front, six columns on the short rear side and eleven columns on the long sides, with spans of unequal width on either side of the large central span. Its columns rested on pedestals set on the upper seat of the podium. They were made of an assembly of drums of reduced height, due to the peculiarities of the local basalt, from which large blocks cannot be made. The capitals which surmounted them are original. Only their upper part is known: it takes the unusual appearance of a gorget without leave or groove surmounted by a quadrangular abacus with a smooth molding in an inclined plane; at each angle of the abacus, the tip of a heavy leaf stuck to the gorget curls outward; on each side, a thin rough garland is suspended between the leaves.
The cella has a rectangular plan. In front, they are extended by antes. At the rear of the building, they are decorated with angular pilasters. The main door of the cella is not preserved. To the south, to the left of the entrance, the facade has a small door leading probably to a stairwell.
Five inscriptions relate to the layout of the sanctuary and the organization of local cults. The oldest indicates that, thanks to sacred funds, the construction of a wall was carried out in the years 160 CE, under the supervision of the priest Saizoubas son of Baréon and under the authority of his son Abiddaranes and Aboudemmos son of Sabinus . In a cartouche, on a column drum, a second inscription mentions new works under the priesthood and the curatorship of Sabinus, also known as Aboudemmos, son of Sabinus. More recent than a century, three other texts emanate from the priest Drusus: one of them is a dedication to Athena, probably the tutelary deity of the temple; the other two, engraved on two sides of the same plinth, commemorate the offering of statues of Nemesis and Kairos Kalos ("Auspicious Moment"), in February 262 CE.
Sources: 1, 2
