Butler: Diary of Third Expedition to Syria, 1909

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[Plan and roofline of Greek temple at Slêm.]

Slêm April 7, 1909

This place is situated at the foot of the Djebel Haurân just before the Ledjā. It is a comparatively large village in which there are numerous ancient buildings and parts of buildings that are utilized as habitations, together with fragments which belonged to at least two Classical structures and numerous inscriptions in Greek. On the east side of the town and detached from it by 100 years or more are the foundations and parts of the upper walls of a Greek temple. The South anta wall, in which there are a small roofed chamber and a staircase, is preserved to a height of 3-4 m. The N.E. angle (part of the other anta) is preserved to its full height. This building has been photographed by Dumas of Beirût but no plans of it have yet been published. I made a plan and measured certain heights and some details. Barnes measured other details at full size.

elevations of Base, Podium, Freize, Main Architrave

The temple was set on a high podium all of which can be measured, the cella was small flanked by six broad pilasters. A portico of two columns was placed between two thick and deeply projecting antāe. The outer angles of the antāe are marked by pilasters 1.16 wide, the inner angles by pilasters .81 wide. The single preserved angle pilaster is capped by a Ionic cap with a fluted [necking] above a row of acanthus leaves. The caps of the two columns were apparently Composite for the upper members have four equal volutes. Above the corner pilaster is an architrave adorned with the Greek fret, above this a frieze of garlands and bucranium; then comes a cornice and a raking cornice both of which are returned against the wall on the north side. Above the raking cornice is sat a large Corinthian pilaster cap proportioned to the main pilasters. (see photos.)

Brêkeh

plan, Temple, Brêkeh

Details, Temple, Brêkeh