Podium

View looking east at the west end of the podium of the “Temple of Hercules.”  In the foreground is the poorly-preserved west wall of the temple podium.

This temple was built upon an older, ninth century B.C., temple that was probably dedicated to the Ammonite god Milcom.  Although called the “Temple of Hercules” – Roman coins associate this demi-god with Philadelphia – the identity of the deity worshiped at the temple is not certain.  Indeed one excavator believes that Astarte was worshiped here.

For another view of the podium Click Here.  To view the restored columns Click Here .

This image courtesy of Mark Connally.