Archeology Niha Bekaa

the lower small temple.

a portion of text in section courtesy of ministry of tourism of lebanon provided bulk of description on roman temples of niha. niha home 4 roman temples constructed between 1st , 3rd century ad. lower 2 temples located on edge of village, , upper 2 temples 2 km above village in known hosn niha.

the first , smallest temple built in 1st century ad. 1 enters gate @ edge of village archeological park maintained department of antiquities, lower small temple appears first , directly ahead right of creek. temple dedicated syro-phoenician mermaid goddess atargatis , consort, god hadaranes. hadaranes local name of hadad, god of thunder, lightning , rain. atargatis goddess of fertility. small water channel runs through podium of temple leading belief water purification rituals conducted @ temple. entrance of temple faces south; consists of stairway leading portico 4 columns ionic-style capitals. cella, or central space of temple, accessed through 3 doors @ top of stairway, , restricted adytum accessed stairway of 9 steps @ end of cella. statue of god or goddess located inside adytum , not accessible public. in addition water channel running through , around podium, there smaller water channel runs base of statue of god or goddess in adytum down center of cella. in remains of temple, archaeologists discovered stone inscription mentioning “female virgin prophet” named hochmea. hochmea priestess of hadaranes , atargatis; dedicated herself 2 gods , cut herself off world. stone inscription says: “according order god, stopped eating bread 20 years , lived 100 years.” stone removed archaeologists , no longer located @ temple site. small temple apparently used public cult, allowed participate in purification rituals.

the statue of priest @ entrance of lower great temple.

opposite creek lies great temple extensively restored government of lebanon in 1950s. towering 20 m (65 ft), temple built during 2nd , 3rd centuries ad , apparently used mysterious cult spread during era, similar temple of bacchus in baalbeck. temple dedicated god hadaranes , goddess atargatis, young god played role of son. entrance of temple faces east; built on large podium , accessed through three-part stairway leading portico 4 columns corinthian-style capitals. left of stairway, carved relief depicts priest 2 icons on chest, representing god , goddess. wearing hat crescent carved on it, , holds floral water sprinkler in left hand , cup in right hand, pours holy water onto small altar.

the lintel of gigantic temple door has eagle spread wings carved on it. eagle similar 1 carved on lintel of temple of bacchus in baalbeck. however, niha carving different, because eagle holds floral crown in 1 of talons , palm leaf in other. right side of lintel, carved relief represents winged naked boy holding palm leaf in left hand. next boy carving of winged goddess of victory holding palm leaf in left hand , crown in right hand, raising crown towards head of boy. left side of lintel has carved relief representing same goddess of victory same items in hands. carvings appear linked mysterious rituals performed inside temple. these rituals related issues of birth, growth, death, , hope of afterlife.

the inside of great temple consists of 2 parts: cella, people used gather, , elevated adytum, accessed stairway. adytum used hold statue of god or goddess. under elevated adytum crypt, held items used during ceremonies , rituals of temple. doorway leading crypt decorated carved relief representing priest pouring holy water on altar. next him, woman holds undefined object in right hand. left, relief represents winged boy riding on sheep or bull.

the upper great roman temple in hosn of niha.

the small temple of niha oriented north-south, while great temple oriented east-west. during excavations of site, oratory discovered in front of small temple. oratory had altar representing goddess of niha, surrounded number of steles sculpted in local style (not roman style). reason perpendicular orientation of 2 temples presence of monumental altar, situated in front of small temple, , used base orientation of great temple.

two other upper roman temples constructed @ hosn, approximately 2 km away 2 temples mentioned earlier. located @ elevation of 1,400 m (4,600 ft) difficult road access, these 2 temples not restored. architectural evidence @ site indicates transformed small fort during medieval period (hence name of hosn). built on podium facing toward east, upper great temple composed of portico 4 columns, leading cella, , elevated adytum. today, temple site reasonably preserved – of walls intact, columns no longer standing. altar in front of temple destroyed byzantine basilica built on it. basilica has 3 naves , semi-circular apse east end. lower portions of basilica walls remain visible today. second small temple opens south , accessed through stairway destroyed today. stairway leads portico 2 columns, , small cella small niche @ end, used hold statue of god or goddess.