Temple A

View looking north at the reconstructed entrance to Temple A at Laodicea.   Notice the steps leading up to the entrance, the four spiral columns on plinth, and the composite capitals (a combination of the Ionic and Corinthian orders)—all signs that this is a Late Roman phase of the Temple).

According to the excavator, Celal Şimşek (on site verbal communication), Temple A was established in the first century A.D. and was dedicated to Apollo (not to Zeus as previously speculated).  Soon the sister of Apollo, Artemis, was worshiped here and eventually Imperial Cult worship was also added (very early fourth century A.D.—during the reign of Diocletian).

Previously there was some speculation that Temple A was dedicated to Zeus partially because of analogies with the Temple of Zeus at Aizanoi.  The temple of Zeus at Aizanoi has a special subterranean temple below the main temple, as does Temple A at Laodicea.