This, however, was after the Persian conquest and the plunder of its principal treasures.

Previously, if we may believe Diodorus, the shrine was occupied by three colossal images of gold--one of Bel, one of Beltis, and the third of Rhea or Ishtar.

Before the image of Beltis were two golden lions, and near them two enormous serpents of silver, each thirty talents in weight.

The golden table--forty feet long and fifteen broad--was in front of these statues, and upon it stood two huge drinking-cups, of the same weight as the serpents.

The shrine also contained two enormous censers and three golden bowls, one for each of the three deities.
At the base of the tower was a second shrine or chapel, which in the time of Herodotus contained a sitting image of Bel, made of gold, with a golden table in front of it, and a stand for the image, of the same precious metal.