The Ruins of Miyamas in the Countryside of Swaida: Transformation from Pagan Temples to a Christian Church

This article presents an analytical study of the unique religious complex in the village of Miyamas, located in the southern countryside of Swaida, Syria. Based on the foundational field reports of the Princeton University Archaeological Expedition (1904–1909) led by Howard Crosby Butler, the research documents a rare architectural metamorphosis: the integration of two independent classical pagan temples into a single Christian basilical church. The study examines the structural methodology used to link the two square temples—built in the "best classical Hawran style"—by removing opposing walls and constructing parallel connecting walls to form a nave. The author highlights the presence of Nabataean architectural influences, evidenced by multi-faceted column bases and fragmentary inscriptions, which underscore the site's importance during the early Roman Empire. Furthermore, the article describes the rich decorative elements, including carved friezes and relief sculptures of vegetal motifs, similar to those found in the temple of Al-Sanamayn. By tracing the site’s transition from a sacred pagan space to a Christian sanctuary, and later to a local residence, the paper emphasizes the continuity of "architectural reuse" (Spolia) in the Hauran region. The study concludes by advocating for systematic archaeological excavation to uncover buried mosaics and preserve this critical testimony of religious evolution in the Southern Levant.