The Temple of Fortuna (Venus)

Click here for a larger image of the ColumnsClick here for a larger image of the Temple of VenusAcross the street from the Temple complex lies a small temple, which scholars originally believed to be dedicated to Venus, largely because of the decorations on the pillars, such as the portico columns pictured on the left. It is now believed that the temple was dedicated to the God Fortuna. Enclosed within a fenced in area of about a half of a city block, the temple (shown to the right) is reasonably well preserved, and surrounded by ruins that were part of the architectural complex which featured the temple. After the Roman occupation, the temple was converted into a bascilica and dedicated to a young woman by the name of Barbara (later St. Barbara). Her claim to fame was that she converted to Christianity, much to the chagrin of her non-Christian father. He took her to the nearby Lebanon mountains (seen in the background of the Baalbeck pictures) and attempted to kill her with a knife when, according to legend, God stayed his hand

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