A fine inscription (given in full by Aliquot1) dates this temple 171-172 AD, gives the names of the priest and builder, names the village as Chamon (Χάμων) and the dedication, to Mercury. The location is confused. Taylor2 puts it east of the road leading into Ham from the north, while Aliquot states that it is "on a terrace, half way up the slope of the hill which overhangs the village to the north, and just above a small Muslim shrine dedicated to Shem (Nabi Ham). Visitors would probably be advised to go first to Ham and ask - the (ancient) temple and (Muslim) shrine are apparently known locally as el-Kneisse (the church!).
References
- ↑Julien Aliquot (2009). La Vie religieuse au Liban sous l'Empire romain: Békaa sud. Beyrouth : Presses de l’Ifpo, 2009, section 62
- ↑George Taylor, The Roman Temples of Lebanon. Beirut : Dar el Mashreq Publishers. p. 127.