The Temple of Jupiter at Baalbek in Lebanon was most likely begun in the first century BC, possibly soon after 16 BC, when Baalbek became a Roman colony. Its builders are unknown, and a graffito on a column drum suggests it was largely complete by about AD 60. It is the largest Roman temple after the Temple of Venus and Roma in Rome.
The temple measures about 289 by 144 feet (88 by 44 meters). It had 54 unfluted Corinthian columns standing about 65 feet (19.9 meters) tall, the tallest of any classical temple. It sits on a platform raised about 23 feet (7 meters) above an earlier base, with monoliths of about 300 tonnes. Nero built the tower-altar, and Trajan added the forecourt.
Earthquakes and stone-stripping took their toll, and eight columns went to Constantinople for the Hagia Sophia. Six columns still stand on the south side.
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