An ancient pagan worship place ... The religious shrine is carved into the rock near Temple Mount and is made up of eight rooms with an altar, a sacred standing stone (massebah) and presses ...

Synagogues were classified as colleges to get around Roman laws banning secret societies and the temples were allowed to collect the yearly tax paid by all Jewish men for temple maintenance.

The festivities began with a public sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn ... It also shared links with other Roman and pagan festivals, showcasing the interconnectedness of ancient traditions.