バールベックは、レバノンの古代(こだい)遺跡(いせき)で、ベッカー高原(こうげん)に位置(いち)しています。ベイルートから北東(ほくとう)に約(やく)85km離(はな)れています。バールベックという名前(なまえ)は、「ベッカー高原(こうげん)の主神(しゅしん)」という意味(いみ)で、古代(こだい)にはフェニキアの神(かみ)ハダド(バアル)が祀(まつ)られていた場所(ばしょ)でした。後(あと)にはギリシア・ローマの神々(かみがみ)も加(くわ)わり、ジュピター・ビーナス・バッカスとして知(し)られるようになりました。この遺跡(いせき)には、これらの神々(かみがみ)を祀(まつ)る三(みっ)つの神殿(しんでん)があり、その中(なか)には世界(せかい)でも有名(ゆうめい)なローマ神殿(しんでん)跡(あと)も含(ふく)まれています。Baalbek is an ancient archaeological site in Lebanon, located in the Bekaa Valley, about 85 km northeast of Beirut. The name Baalbek means "Lord of the Bekaa Valley," and in ancient times, it was a place where the Phoenician god Hadad was worshipped. Later, the site incorporated Greek and Roman deities and became known for the worship of Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus. The ruins feature three temples dedicated to these gods, including some of the world's most famous remnants of Roman temples.
バールベックは、レバノンの古代(こだい)遺跡(いせき)で、ベッカー高原(こうげん)に位置(いち)しています。ベイルートから北東(ほくとう)に約(やく)85km離(はな)れています。バールベックという名前(なまえ)は、「ベッカー高原(こうげん)の主神(しゅしん)」という意味(いみ)で、古代(こだい)にはフェニキアの神(かみ)ハダド(バアル)が祀(まつ)られていた場所(ばしょ)でした。後(あと)にはギリシア・ローマの神々(かみがみ)も加(くわ)わり、ジュピター・ビーナス・バッカスとして知(し)られるようになりました。この遺跡(いせき)には、これらの神々(かみがみ)を祀(まつ)る三(みっ)つの神殿(しんでん)があり、その中(なか)には世界(せかい)でも有名(ゆうめい)なローマ神殿(しんでん)跡(あと)も含(ふく)まれています。Baalbek is an ancient archaeological site in Lebanon, located in the Bekaa Valley, about 85 km northeast of Beirut. The name Baalbek means "Lord of the Bekaa Valley," and in ancient times, it was a place where the Phoenician god Hadad was worshipped. Later, the site incorporated Greek and Roman deities and became known for the worship of Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus. The ruins feature three temples dedicated to these gods, including some of the world's most famous remnants of Roman temples.
Baalbek was one of the important cities on the Mediterranean coast from ancient to medieval times. Its name appeared in various forms across different eras and cultures. In antiquity, it was strongly influenced by Greece and Rome, particularly during the Roman Empire, when it was known as "Heliopolis." This name designated it as a city dedicated to Helios, the god of the sun, and it flourished as a center of sun worship.
The temples of Baalbek were dedicated not only to Roman gods but also to local Canaanite deities. This is seen as the result of the fusion of local and foreign religions. Specifically, Roman gods such as Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus were equated with Canaanite deities like Hadad and Atargatis.
There are several theories regarding the origin of the name Baalbek. Ancient texts mention a name meaning "source of two rivers," suggesting the name came from its proximity to the Litani and Assi rivers. Other theories propose "Baal of the Bekaa," combining the words Baal (lord) and Bekaa (valley), or the meaning "Lord of Bacchus."
Baalbek holds a crucial position in ancient literature and archaeological research. Although debates continue regarding its name and origin, Baalbek is an indispensable site for understanding the history and religion of the region.