Temple of Zeus Theos

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Dedicatory inscription from the year 120/121

The Temple of Zeus Theos in Dura Europos was built in the second century and is one of the more important shrines in the city. The building is centrally located in the settlement area, measures around 37 square meters and thus takes up about half an insula . It was excavated by an American-French expedition from December 1933 to March 1939.

The entrance to the temple is in the east. Above it was an inscription that names a Seleucus and the year 114 as the temple builder. It is uncertain whether this date refers to the completion of the gate or the entire temple. The temple complex has a monumental courtyard and in this a large naos . Around this courtyard there is a series of rooms on the north and south sides, most of which have benches on all sides.

The naos is located on the west side of the courtyard as a free-standing building. He has four rooms. The largest room was the cella , which in turn was painted. The paintings were found in small fragments, but have largely been reconstructed. The cult figure of the god was depicted on the back wall. She stood next to a chariot and was crowned by two niks . On the side walls of the hall are the pictures of the donors and their family members who financed this temple in three registers. Their names are written next to their pictures. They appear to be members of two influential families, including the Lysias family. Various inscriptions were found, all in Greek. Next to the cella is a smaller room that was obviously the temple's treasure house. Some pieces of jewelry were still found here. A dedicatory inscription on a stele dates to the year 120/121 AD and comes from a certain Seleucus.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ MI Rostovtzeff, FE Brown, CB Welles: The excavations at Dura-Europos: Preliminary Report of Seventh and Eighth Season of Work 1933-1934 and 1934-1935. Yale University Press, New Haven et al. 1939, p. 195.

literature

  • MI Rostovtzeff , FE Brown, CB Welles: The excavations at Dura-Europos: Preliminary Report of Seventh and Eighth Season of Work 1933-1934 and 1934-1935. Yale University Press, New Haven et al. 1939, pp. 181-217.

Coordinates: 34 ° 44 ′ 48.9 "  N , 40 ° 43 ′ 51.3"  E