Mysterious Greek inscription may reveal lost temple beneath Syria’s Great Mosque
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Mysterious Greek inscription may reveal lost temple beneath Syria’s Great Mosque
Date:
April 2, 2026
Source:
University of Sharjah
Summary:
A mysterious Greek inscription found beneath the Great Mosque of Homs could pinpoint the long-debated location of an ancient sun temple. Scholars now think the mosque sits atop a sacred site that transitioned from pagan worship to Christianity and then Islam. The find supports the idea that religious change in the region happened gradually, with overlapping beliefs rather than sudden shifts. It also reconnects the site to the powerful cult of Elagabalus, whose priest once became a Roman emperor.
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The inscription was discovered in the Great Mosque of Homs in Syria. The writing in the inscription image is symmetrical, formal, and spaced in horizontal lines, a style common in formal dedication or commemorative texts. The text adopts a heroic and militaristic tone, portraying a warrior-king likened to the wind, the storm, and the leopard, as he defeats enemies and exacts tribute with commanding royal authority. Credit: Teriz Lyoun
A newly uncovered Greek inscription inside the Great Mosque of Homs in Syria is reviving a long-running debate about the location of the ancient Temple of the Sun. This temple was once tied to Elagabalus, a high priest who rose to become Roman emperor in the third century AD.
Homs, known in antiquity as Emesa, has long been recognized for its historical importance. At the center of the city stands the Great Mosque, a landmark famous for its unusual oval design and deep religious significance.
The inscription was found at the base of one of the mosque's columns during restoration work. The site itself has a complex past. It is associated with the 12th-century ruler Nur ad-Din and is believed to have been built over a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist. That church may have replaced an even earlier structure, possibly a pagan temple.
A recent study published in the archaeology journal Shedet revisits the question of whether the mosque stands on the remains of the Temple of Elagabalus. For decades, historians have debated this possibility but lacked clear evidence.
Dr. Maamoun Saleh Abdulkarim, a professor of archaeology and history at the University of Sharjah and the study's author, believes the inscription could be the missing piece. He suggests it may help trace the origins of a site that has served as a place of worship across multiple religions over time.
"This inscription, uncovered during restoration work, provides new evidence in a long-standing 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?" explains Prof. Abdulkarim.
Layers of Religion in Ancient Emesa
For years, researchers have examined texts, coins, and archaeological remains to determine whether the Great Mosque once functioned as a temple and later as a church. The newly studied inscription offers fresh insight into this enduring question.
Prof. Abdulkarim is analyzing the inscription to better understand how the current mosque may connect to earlier religious structures on the same 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, adding, "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 study presents Emesa as a city shaped by three major religious phases: paganism, Christianity, and Islam. It highlights how these transitions unfolded over time, offering a detailed example of cultural continuity and adaptation in the Middle East.
The research "examines the evolution of religious life in Emesa during Roman and early Byzantine times. It illustrates how the city's religious landscape changed from the worship of local gods, such as Elagabalus, to the general acceptance of Christianity in the fourth century AD," notes Prof. Abdulkarim.
"Examining the political and social factors that led to this transformation reveals a complex history of religious tolerance and struggle that ultimately allowed Christianity to flourish."
Greek Inscription Details and Translation
The inscription is carved into a granite block that forms part of a column base inside the mosque. Written in Greek, the text is directly etched into the stone.
According to archaeologist Teriz Lyoun, head of the Excavation Department in Homs, the inscription had been buried ben