Eschmun temple
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Eschmun temple معبد اشمون |
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| State : |
 Lebanon
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| Coordinates : | 33 ° 35 ' N , 35 ° 24' E | ||
| Time zone : | UTC + 2 | ||
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The Eschmun Temple (Arabic معبد اشمون) is a Phoenician sanctuary in Lebanon that dates back to the 6th century BC. The temple was consecrated to Eschmun , the god of healing and fertility , who was also the city god of the Phoenician city of Sidon . The sanctuary is about a kilometer from today's Sidon.
history
The choice of location was probably based on the spring that rises near the temple. The original temple complex is still clearly visible. You can still see a massive capital . In addition, there are two platforms on the slope that may have been used for sacrificial rituals. One pedestal dates from the 6th century BC, the other from the fourth century BC. The oldest part of the complex dates back to the 6th century BC. It is a pyramid-shaped building, which was probably built under the Babylonian influence of the time. In the 5th century AD, the temple was expanded under King Eshmunazar of Sidon and later by King Bodashtart. A church was built on the site in Byzantine times. In addition, numerous mosaics were created during that time. The Eschmun Temple has been on the list of suggestions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 .
literature
- Anke Röhl, Andrea Rosebrock: Lebanon (= travel manual. ). Revised and expanded 3rd edition. Stein, Kronshagen 1998, ISBN 3-89392-213-X , p. 163 f.
- Rolf A. Stucky : The sculptures from the Eschmun sanctuary near Sidon. Greek, Roman, Cypriot and Phoenician statues and reliefs from the 6th century BC to the 3rd century AD (= ancient art. Supplements . 17). Association of Friends of Ancient Art, Basel 1993, ISBN 3-909064-17-5 .
- Rolf A. Stucky: The Eschmun sanctuary of Sidon: architecture and inscriptions (= ancient art. Supplements. 19). Association of Friends of Ancient Art, Basel 2005, ISBN 3-909064-19-1 .