March 19, Kathmandu – During the reconstruction of the historic Great Mosque in Homs, Syria, an ancient Greek inscription has been uncovered. This discovery brings a new perspective to a longstanding archaeological debate. Experts state that the inscription provides compelling evidence that the famous ‘Temple of the Sun’ from the Roman Empire era lies beneath the mosque. Professor Mamoun Saleh Abdulkarim, an archaeologist from the University of Sharjah, described this find as an excellent example of the gradual religious transformation of the site.
According to him, the location originally housed a pagan temple, which was later converted into a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and ultimately transformed into a mosque following Islamic conquest. Although the inscription was first uncovered during excavations in 2016 on the top of a granite pillar of the mosque, detailed study was delayed due to conflict and instability in the region. This historic material narrates a heroic saga of a ‘warrior king,’ praising his royal power and victories by likening them to the wind, storms, and leopards.
Written in Greek, the inscription clearly reflects the grammatical influence of the local Aramaic language commonly used in Syria at the time. Its style is highly formal and respectful, reflecting a traditional approach to the construction of temples or monuments in ancient times. The temple is associated with the cult of the sun god named Elagabalus. Roman Emperor Elagabalus, who ruled during this period, attempted to elevate this sun deity as the supreme god of the Roman Empire.
Professor Abdulkarim noted that this recent discovery at the city of Emesa (modern-day Homs) demonstrates that religious change there was not abrupt but a very slow and progressive process. Rather than completely demolishing the old structure, new faiths were layered on top of the existing foundations. The transformation began with the grand sun temple of Elagabalus during Roman times, transitioned into a church as Christian influence grew in the fourth century, and continued until the twelfth century under the rule of Nur ad-Din, when the structure was built as the Great Mosque. This research was published in the archaeological journal ‘Sedet’. It confirms that beyond its role as a commercial hub, Homs has been a center of religious tolerance and cultural adaptation for over two millennia. Scholars believe that the full analysis of this inscription will greatly enhance understanding of the ancient religious history of the Middle East.
