Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – The precise location of the Temple of the Sun, whose high priest became the Roman emperor Elagabalus in the third century AD, has been a subject of scholarly debate for many years. Recent archaeological work may offer new insights into this historical mystery. A Greek inscription discovered during restoration efforts at the Great Mosque of Homs in Syria could provide crucial evidence regarding the temple’s whereabouts.
Homs, known as Emesa in antiquity and now capital of its province, is renowned for its rich history and notable landmarks. Among these is the Great Mosque, distinguished by its unique oval layout and significant religious heritage. The newly found Greek inscription was uncovered at the base of a column inside this mosque—a site that also holds importance due to its association with Nur ad-Din, a prominent 12th-century Zengid ruler.
Historical records suggest that the mosque was constructed on top of an earlier church dedicated to St. John the Baptist and follows a rectangular architectural plan. Its sacred status dates back to ancient times, making it an important religious site through various eras.
The Quest For The Temple Of Elagabalus
Researchers are now investigating whether this mosque stands atop what was once the Temple of Elagabalus—a question that has long intrigued historians but remained unresolved due to insufficient evidence.
Dr. Maamoun Saleh Abdulkarim, Professor at the University of Sharjah and author of a recent study on this discovery, asserts that this inscription represents a significant breakthrough. He suggests it may finally clarify how one sacred Muslim landmark evolved from pagan temple origins through Christian transformation before becoming an important Islamic place of worship today.
Illustration of the state of the Emesa Castle in Homs in the late 18th century. By L. F. Cassas, 1799-1800. Credit: Shedet (2026). DOI: 10.21608/shedet.2025.392640.1307
“This inscription, uncovered during restoration work, provides new evidence in a longstanding debate: Was the Temple of Elagabalus located beneath the current Great Mosque in the city center, or was it situated in the archaeological layers atop the tell (mound), where the remains of the Islamic Citadel of Homs now stand?” explained Prof. Abdulkarim.
For many years, scholars have debated whether the Great Mosque of Homs was originally constructed as a temple and later converted into a church. This question has persisted despite thorough analysis of textual records, coins, and archaeological findings.
Recently, the discovery of a new inscription has provided valuable insight into this ongoing discussion. Professor Abdulkarim is currently examining the inscription to explore possible links between the present-day Great Mosque and earlier pagan as well as Christian sanctuaries that once occupied the site.
“If its association with solar cult symbolism is confirmed, it may indicate a spatial continuity between the pagan sanctuary and the later religious structures built on the same site,” he said. “Such evidence would significantly strengthen the argument that religious transformation in Emesa occurred through architectural layering and reinterpretation rather than a complete break.
“It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeology, epigraphy, architectural history, and heritage conservation.”
The column where the Greek inscription was found has provided valuable insights for scholars studying ancient Greek inscriptions in Syria. Researchers have identified orthographic and grammatical deviations in these texts, which indicate the influence of the Syriac (Aramaic) linguistic background of the local population. This suggests that while Greek was used for inscriptions, it was shaped by the native language spoken in the region. Credit: Abdulhadi Al-Najjar
The study examines Emesa—present-day Homs—through three significant religious periods: paganism, Christianity, and Islam. Serving as a longitudinal case study, it explores the processes of religious transformation, cultural resilience, and the development of a multifaceted urban identity within the context of Middle Eastern archaeology.
According to Professor Abdulkarim, the research investigates how religious life in Emesa evolved during Roman and early Byzantine eras. It traces the shift from local deity worship—including that of Elagabalus—to widespread acceptance of Christianity by the fourth century AD. By analyzing political and social influences behind this transition, the study uncovers a complex history marked by both tolerance and conflict—a dynamic that ultimately enabled Christianity to thrive in Emesa.
Is The Greek Inscription Still An Enigma?
The granite inscription is a significant feature of the base of a column located in the Great Mosque of Homs. This text, engraved in Greek, is carved directly into the granite surface. Archaeologist Teriz Lyoun, who leads the Excavation Department in Homs, reports that the inscription had been buried beneath the mosque’s floor until its discovery during excavations conducted in 2016. The base of the column measures 1 by 1 meter. Of this area, approximately 75 centimeters on the front are occupied by the inscribed plaque, while about 25 centimeters are dedicated to frame elements surrounding it.
“The writing in the inscription image appears symmetrical, formal, and spaced in horizontal lines, a style common in formal dedication or commemorative texts. The design is a multi-line inscription arranged in straight horizontal lines, and the plaque is framed by a decorative top border,” Lyoun explained.
Due to prolonged unrest in Syria, the inscription was not fully revealed until May 2016, when historian Abdulhadi Al-Najjar published the first translation of the Greek text on his Facebook page.
“The passage in the inscription is characterized by a heroic and militaristic tone, depicting a warrior ruler compared to the wind, the storm, and the leopard, defeating enemies and imposing tribute with fierce royal authority,” Lyoun added.
The text discusses a warrior-king who is likened to formidable forces such as the wind, the storm, and the leopard, emphasizing his prowess in defeating adversaries and asserting royal authority by collecting tribute. Professor Abdulkarim observes that the Greek inscription describing these feats contains several grammatical irregularities—a characteristic feature of Roman-era Syria, where Aramaic was more widely spoken than Greek.
A mask of a person believed to be from the royal family, discovered in the Abu Saboun cemetery in Homs (Emesa). Credit: Shedet (2026). DOI:10.21608/SHEDET.2025.392640.1307
Through his careful research and analysis of this inscription, Professor Abdulkarim has provided important evidence supporting the historical connection among three major sites in Homs: the Temple of the Sun, an early church later established on its grounds, and eventually, the Great Mosque constructed at this location.
“This Greek inscription, even if it is epic in nature and not very detailed, provides clues to the connection between this mosque and a pagan building, perhaps the Temple of the Sun, especially since researchers have long proposed this connection. Thus, every inscription from the Roman era that is uncovered in this mosque will add more knowledge to our understanding of the subject,” Professor Abdulkarim noted.
From A Pagan Temple To A Church And Finally A Mosque
Professor Abdulkarim highlights the importance of Emesa’s religious and urban identity, as well as its strategic position at a crossroads connecting major ancient trade routes such as Antioch, Damascus, and the broader Levant. This advantageous location enabled Emesa to become a significant commercial center and a key gateway for expansion during the Roman Empire and subsequent empires.
According to Professor Abdulkarim’s research, Emesa’s Roman identity was closely tied to paganism, with spiritual life centered around Elagabalus—the city’s native solar deity whose name was even adopted by a Roman emperor. The temple dedicated to Elagabalus played a central role in regional religious festivals and activities.
The inscription was found in the Great Mosque of Homs in Syria. Its script is characterized by symmetry, formality, and evenly spaced horizontal lines—a style typically used for formal dedication or commemorative inscriptions. The content of the text employs a heroic and militaristic tone, depicting a warrior-king who is compared to powerful forces such as the wind, storm, and leopard. This figure is described as overcoming enemies and collecting tribute with decisive royal authority. Credit: Teriz Lyoun
A pivotal aspect of Professor Abdulkarim’s study is his analysis of a Greek inscription that had previously been noted but not thoroughly examined by scholars. His research demonstrates that this inscription provides compelling evidence for both the existence and precise location of the renowned Temple of the Sun during the Roman period.
For nearly one hundred years, scholars have debated where this temple once stood. Professor Abdulkarim’s findings offer clarity on this issue, helping resolve a longstanding scholarly debate about its exact location within Emesa.
“My research helps clarify many longstanding questions and offers new insights into the religious transformation of the site across successive historical periods. It demonstrates that the site later became a church and was subsequently transformed into a mosque after the Islamic conquest, an evolution also documented in the writings of Arab historians,” according to Professor Abdulkarim.
The Syrian High Priest Who Became Emperor Of Rome Was Elagabalus
The research explores Emesa’s transformation from a center of pagan sun worship to an important hub of Christianity during the Roman and early Byzantine periods. In antiquity, civic life centered on the sun god Elagabalus, whose temple influenced the city’s religion, politics, economy, and identity.
Roman Emperor Elagabalus. Credit: JCarriker – Public Domain
The priesthood of this cult held extraordinary power, so much so that one of its members rose to become Roman emperor. Before his accession in 218 AD, Elagabalus served as the high priest of Syria’s solar deity, from whom he took his imperial name.
Once emperor, Elagabalus sought to elevate his Syrian sun god as the supreme deity of the Roman Empire, forcing the deity’s worship across imperial dominions. But despite the emperor’s decision for an abrupt change in the religious landscape, the sanctuary’s transformation from a temple to a church in Emesa was gradual.
“Christianity did not replace paganism abruptly. Instead, both communities coexisted for generations,” Professor Abdulkarim pointed out.
He points out that religious change is typically a gradual process. In Emesa, for example, pagan and Christian practices existed side by side for many years—possibly even centuries—mirroring the enduring coexistence of Islam and Christianity in Homs and greater Syria.
See also: More Archaeology News
According to Prof. Abdulkarim, the importance of Emesa extends beyond any single inscription; it illustrates a broader principle: cities do not simply erase their histories but reinterpret them over time. He explains that Emesa’s transformation was not marked by abrupt breaks but rather by ongoing negotiations between established traditions and new beliefs. This process of religious change influenced not only sacred sites but also shaped power structures, community identity, and the organization of urban space.
The ancient Temple of the Sun, dedicated to Elagabalus, exemplifies this continuity. More than just a place of worship, its significance persisted through various religious transitions. Whether serving as a temple, church, or mosque at different times in history, the site has consistently remained at the symbolic and political center of city life.
The study was published in the journal Shedet
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Get signed up on our Free Newsletter Today!
