Abstract
Abstract. The Great Temple of Bel in Palmyra was a unique edifice which had blended the well established lines of Greco-Roman architecture with the art and taste of the Orient. With the gilded bronze capitals of its 41 Corinthian columns it was the product of enormous effort and budget. It was the gem of a remarkable epoch of wealthy Palmyra and mighty Roma. With its splendidly decorated adyta ceilings it became a source of inspiration and imagination for Western architecture and decorative arts. While continuing to captivate the World, it was leveled and vanished as a grim result of conflict based vandalism. The aim of this work is to piece together this, the most eloquent and stupendous monument of the Roman East, from its ruins and reconstruct it as it was once extant. Its loss is irreplacable, but its photo-realistic reconstruction can offer some solace by waking the memories of the great temple as in the past. The lost reality of the Great Temple of Bel is revived here by digitally constructing its “ghost images".
Highlights
The Great Temple of Bel, one of the latest victims of terrorist vandalism, was among of the most impressive edifices which were ever brought to light by archaeologists
The objective of the work presented here is to revive in our memory this most imposing monument of the pillaged ancient city of Palmyra.The Great Temple of Bel is restored virtually to the condition it formerly was in the Roman times
Regrettably, since the summer of 2015 this historically significant and beautiful monument, the Great Temple of Bel which was the symbol of Palmyra's multi-cultural identity has been lost
Summary
The Great Temple of Bel, one of the latest victims of terrorist vandalism, was among of the most impressive edifices which were ever brought to light by archaeologists. Before blown up by jihadists, Temple of Bel was the most impressive and renowned building in Syria It was the vestige with which Palmyra was associated. The objective of the work presented here is to revive in our memory this most imposing monument of the pillaged ancient city of Palmyra.The Great Temple of Bel is restored virtually to the condition it formerly was in the Roman times. By using information from ancient texts, lithographs and architectural drawings, virtual models of the temple are created showing how it used to look. This reconstruction endeavour’s target is to provide some healing for the lost temple in memories. Its virtual rediscovery and visual recovery can never replace or totally remedy the loss of the temple, but it can visually wake the memories and provide some experience of the temple as in the past
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