The Cult Complex of Bel at Porolissum. Historical and Architectural Perspective

Abstract

The authors are reopening the file of a monument at Porolissum long time ago archaeologically investigated. After the history of research, they are discussing the chronology and the construction phases of the temple, They reject the initial existence of the temple of Liber Pater under the temple of Bel, as no evidence for such a situation exists. At the same time is not accepted the hypothesis of a Christian basilica built over the temple sometimes in the 4th century. There are analyzed two architectural elements (a Corinthian capital with human protome and an ornamented merlon) which offered the occasion to the authors to introspect the deep cultural roots of the monument and of the religious cult performend by the Palmyrene community to whom the temple and the banqueting hall from the vicinity belonged. The analyze of the two stone elements shows that their origins are to be found in the Oriental civilizations, as well as their symbolic meaning. Mentioning also some votive altars at Porolissum ornamented with the crowsteps motif, of Oriental origin, is proposed the activity at Porolissum of a carving workshop whose masters were Orientals who saw the original monuments in Palmyra and worked for the local Palmyrene community. The final part of the paper propose a 3D reconstruction of the cult complex, based on all available historical and archaeological data and using the ancient architectural principles.