TEHRAN – A team of Iranian archaeologists has commenced its final attempt to possibly unearth the ruins of the Seleucid Laodicea Temple believed to be buried under the modern town of Nahavand in Hamedan province, west-central Iran.HT Rogue Classicism.[...]
In 1943, archaeologists discovered an 85x36 centimeter ancient inscription of 30 lines written in Greek calling on the people of Nahavand to obey the laws of the government. The inscription indicated the existence of the Laodicea Temple, which had been built by the Seleucid king who ruled Asia Minor, Antiochus III the Great (223-187 BC), for his wife Queen Laodicea.
Antiochus III appears in Daniel 11:11-19 as "the king of the south." He didn't just build temples. He also plundered them. He died while on a campaign in Iran. He was plundering a temple of Bel in Elymais (modern day Kuzestan province), south of Nahavand. Daniel 11:19 alludes to his end.
For more on Antiochus III, see here and here. For more on the Seleucid era and its importance for biblical and ancient Jewish studies, start here and follow the many links.
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