Princeton Expeditions to Syria (1899, 1904-1905, 1909)

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is-Sanamên is now a village of fair size and a station on the railway. There are several ruins here of the Roman period and a number of Christian buildings, the latter of small importance.

Temple 192 A.D. (191) The chief Roman ruin is that of a small temple standing at one angle of a large birkeh on the eastern side of the town. The temple faces north, its plan is like that of a Christian basilica, short in proportion to its length and without longtitudinal or other interior supports. There are 3 portals, a large niche in the S. wall and side chambers, one opening into the niche which is like an apse. An insc. shows that the niche contained a gilded statue. The side chambers are in 2 stories. A row of 4 fine standing columns runs across the S. wall carrying an architrave and complete entablature, arched above the apse. The side walls have 1/2 colomns with 1/2 cols. in the N. angles. There are niches in each of the lateral intercolumnations. The exterior ornament is all rich and elaborate, the exterior decoration is confined to the N. façade.

Insc. on main portal dated 16th year of Commodious = 192 A.D. [...]