Jandial Temple

A short walk north of Sirkap stands the foundation of an extraordinary 2nd-century BC temple in pure classical Greek style, with Ionic columns and a layout that closely follows Greek temple conventions. Some scholars suggest it may have been a Zoroastrian fire temple put up by Indo-Parthian rulers in Greek dress; others read it as a straightforwardly Hellenic temple to a Greek god.

Either way, Jandial is one of the easternmost surviving examples of Greek-style architecture in the world — built in the same century and in the same plan as temples in Asia Minor. The Ionic capitals are scattered around the site, partly toppled, and the foundations are clear enough to walk through. It is a quick stop, but a remarkable one.

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