The last few years have seen an enormous amount of excavation in Laodicea. It is still ongoing, as Ferrell Jenkins and I saw several sectors of the very large tel that had teams of workers. One site of importance is the restoration of a pagan temple which reflects some of the wealth and splendor for which this city was famous. Remember God had His people here in Laodicea also, and they were the recipients of the 7th of the Seven Letters (Rev. 2-3).
Pagan Temple at Laodicea. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.
At the back of the temple there is a clear platform through which you can look down and see more excavation several meters below.
Ferrell Jenkins behind temple. The white spot behind (6 miles distance across the Lycus Valley) is Hierapolis. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.
On the lighter side I present you with a camel photo.
Happy Camel at Hierapolis. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.
May I say it’s good to be back in Sweet Home Alabama!
Leon's Message Board 
for those of us unversed in archaeology or biblical history it would seem “pagan” is too general a term. is it roman? some other culture?
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Carol, Thanks for writing. The short answer to your question is “Roman.” Laodicea was known for its worship of Zeus as well as Athena, but the specific god to which this temple was devoted has not yet been identified, to my knowledge.
The temple is known for now as “Temple A.” From the current brochure there on site at Laodicea (pub. Denizli Municipality): “The structure is located on the north end of the rectangular courtyard surrounded with porticoes on the north side of the Syrian Street. The temple is a prostylos with four spirally fluted columns in the front and measures 27.75 x 13.60m. It was build with travertine blocks on a high podium and faced wtih marble. The temple precint occupies the area of two blocks in the Hippodamic layout. Built in the Antonine period (second century CE) and repaired in the Severus period, the temple was heavily renovated in the reign of Emperor Doiocletian (284-305 CE) Excavations findings indicate that the structure was used as an archive in the 4th Century CE” (p.11).
Best wishes,
Leon
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