Nestled between Lebanon and Syria, the majestic Mount Hermon has stood as a silent witness to centuries of religious devotion. Its snow-capped peaks, towering over 2,800 meters, are not just a geographical marvel but also an ancient spiritual epicenter. During the Roman period, this rugged mountain range was dotted with sanctuaries and villages, where local cults merged with imperial influences, shaping a distinctive religious identity.
Jeanine Aliquot, in her chapter Sanctuaries and Villages on Mt. Hermon during the Roman Period, takes us on an archaeological and historical journey, uncovering the spiritual vibrancy of this region. Her research, drawing from inscriptions, temple ruins, and ancient texts, reveals how Graeco-Roman deities intertwined with indigenous beliefs, creating a unique sacred landscape that still echoes in the ruins today.
The Mountain of the Gods
For centuries, Mount Hermon has been known as the “Mountain of the Gods.” Ancient Semitic texts reference it as a dwelling place of deities, a reputation that carried into the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Romans, known for their religious syncretism, embraced the region’s pre-existing sacred sites, often dedicating new temples to both local and imperial gods.
At the heart of these sacred sites was the worship of Baal-Hermon, a powerful deity often linked to Zeus, reflecting the Roman tradition of incorporating local gods into their pantheon. But the divine presence on Hermon extended beyond one god—archaeological finds indicate altars and shrines dedicated to various deities, including Jupiter, Heliopolitan Zeus, and other lesser-known local gods, worshipped by the pastoral and agrarian communities inhabiting the slopes.
The Sanctuaries in the Clouds
Aliquot’s research meticulously pieces together the placement of sanctuaries across the mountain’s rugged terrain. Some temples stood high above the villages, serving as places of pilgrimage where devotees ascended to offer sacrifices and prayers. Others were embedded within rural settlements, forming the spiritual hubs of daily life.
One particularly significant site was the sanctuary at Deir el-Aachayer, where inscriptions reveal Roman officials and local elites as benefactors, demonstrating how religion was not only a matter of faith but also of political and social standing. Temple dedications frequently bore the names of Roman governors, local aristocrats, and military officers, underscoring the strategic importance of Hermon’s religious institutions in strengthening ties between the local population and the empire.
Rituals and Pilgrimage: A Living Faith
Religious life on Mount Hermon was far from passive. Pilgrimage was a defining element, with worshippers traveling from distant cities to seek divine favor, healing, and protection. Many of these devotees left behind inscriptions—etchings on stone walls that spoke of prayers answered and vows fulfilled.
Aliquot highlights evidence of elaborate rituals, feasts, and seasonal ceremonies that likely took place within the sanctuaries. These events not only reinforced spiritual beliefs but also cemented social bonds within the communities, making religion a unifying force in an otherwise politically fragmented region.
Between Rome and the Sacred Peaks
Despite being part of the vast Roman Empire, the communities of Mount Hermon managed to preserve their local religious customs, even as they incorporated elements of Greco-Roman traditions. This balance between imperial influence and indigenous spirituality reflects the broader religious dynamics of the Roman Near East—where temples dedicated to Jupiter and Venus stood alongside ancient shrines to Baal and other native gods.
Aliquot’s research sheds light on this delicate negotiation of faith and empire, illustrating how the people of Mount Hermon did not passively accept Roman religion but rather adapted and transformed it to fit their own traditions. The result was a rich, hybridized religious landscape, where temples served as both places of worship and symbols of cultural resilience.
Echoes of the Past
Today, the ruins of these ancient sanctuaries still dot the slopes of Mount Hermon, hidden among its valleys and ridges. Some remain partially buried, waiting to be uncovered, while others stand defiantly against time, their inscriptions whispering stories of gods, pilgrims, and rulers long gone.
Jeanine Aliquot’s work reminds us that Mount Hermon was more than just a mountain—it was a sacred frontier, where faith and empire met in a breathtaking display of devotion and transformation.
As archaeologists continue to explore these forgotten sanctuaries, one thing remains certain: the spiritual echoes of Mount Hermon will continue to call out across history, carrying the whispers of those who once stood in reverence before its ancient altars.
Source: Aliquot, J. (2008). Sanctuaries and Villages on Mt. Hermon during the Roman Period. In T. Kaizer, The Variety of Local Religious Life in the Near East in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods, K. Beerden, L. Dirven & M.J. Versluys (Eds.), Religions in the Graeco-Roman World (Vol. 164, pp. 73–96). Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004167353. DOI:
