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Baalbek: View of the monolith known as the "Stone of the Pregnant Woman"

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of Lebanon
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

The "Stone of the Pregnant Woman" (Arabic: Hadjar el Hibla‎) or Stone of the South is a Roman monolith. Together with another ancient stone block nearby, it is among the very largest monoliths ever quarried by men. The two building blocks were intended for the close-by Roman temple complex − possibly as an addition to the so-called trilith − whose monolithic gigantism remained unparalled in antiquity and beyond.

Greco-Roman site in Lebanon, a large and important ancient city; was identified with worship of Baal, a Semitic sun-god (thus the name Heliopolis); most buildings were erected under reign of Roman Antoninus Pius 138-161. Its remains chiefly comprise the vast Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus (begun ca. 1st century BCE), the exceptionally well preserved 'Temple of Bacchus' (2nd century CE) and an elegant circular temple perhaps dedicated to Venus (3rd century CE). The ancient city lay on the caravan route from Damascus and Palmyra to the Phoenician coastal cities and was occupied from prehistoric times, although it did not become important until the Hellenistic period (323-27 BCE).

Images

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/fj236111m9m
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of Lebanon

Temple of Venus, Baalbek: Overall view of exterior

Temple of Venus, Baalbek: Overall view of exterior

Ruins, possibly Crusader Cathedral, Tyre, Lebanon

Ruins, possibly Crusader Cathedral, Tyre, Lebanon

Sidon Sea Castle, Sidon, Lebanon

Sidon Sea Castle, Sidon, Lebanon

Baalbek: Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus, propylaeum

Baalbek: Sanctuary of Jupiter Heliopolitanus, propylaeum

Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek: Overall view, remaining columns of the eastern facade of the Temple of Jupiter; Temple of Bacchus in background

Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek: Overall view, remaining columns of the eastern facade of the Temple of Jupiter; Temple of Bacchus in background

Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek: Detail of massive retaining walls

Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek: Detail of massive retaining walls

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