tEMPLE OF HEL10POLIS. 499 



fiuted, some of which have suffered from violence, being hewn near 

 the bases, with a view to destroy the fabric for the iron and mate, 

 rials. The shafts are not circular, but elliptical* ; and in the angu. 

 lar columns square. The reason is, the sides, which are now Open, 

 were closed with marble pannels 5 and that form was necessary to 

 give them a due projection. The inside has been painted blue. 

 This structure is the first object, as you approach from Jasus, and 

 stands by the road. The entrance was on the farther side, the 

 ascent to it probably .by a pair of steps, occasionally applied -and 

 removed. [Chandler. 



SECTION IX. 



Temple of Heliopolis or Balbeck. 



HELIOPOLIS, the Balbeck of more modern times, is mentioned 

 by the Arabians as the wonder of Syria ; and such of our European 

 travellers as have visited it, are so charmed with what they beheld 

 there, that they are at a loss how to express their admiration. On 

 the south west of the town, which stands in a delightful plain on the 

 west foot of Antilibanus, is an heathen temple, with the remains of 

 some other edifices ; and, among the rest, of a magnificent palace. 

 These ancient structures have been patched and pieced in later 

 times, and converted into a castle, as it is called. As you dravr 

 near to these venerable ruins, you meet with a rotunda, or round 

 pile of building, incircled with pillars of the Corinthian order, 

 which support a cornice that runs all round the structure; the 

 whole of great elegance and stateliness, but now in a very tottering 

 condition. It is mostly of marble, and, though round on the out- 

 side, is an octagon within ; being, in the inside, adorned with eight 

 arches, supported by eight Corinthian columns, each of one piece. 

 It is now open at top, but appears to have been covered and em. 

 bellished with the figures of eagles. The Greeks, who have con. 

 verted this round into a church, have spoiled the beauty of the in. 

 side, by daubing it over with plaster. Leaving this, you come to 

 a large, firm, and very lofty pile of building, through which you 

 pass into a noble arched walk or portico, one hundred and tifty 

 paces long, that leads to the temple. 



* See a column described as tiogular by Tourocfort, p. SSV. S P* 

 cocke, p. 56, 



