Temple of Mercury at Nabi Ham

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!).

Bronverwijzingen

1. ↑Julien Aliquot (2009). La Vie religieuse au Liban sous l'Empire romain: Békaa sud. Beyrouth : Presses de l’Ifpo, 2009, section 62
2. ↑George Taylor, The Roman Temples of Lebanon. Beirut : Dar el Mashreq Publishers. p. 127.