Iranica Antiqua, vol. XLIX, 2014 doi: 10.2143/IA.49.0.3009244 IN SEARCH OF THE LAODIKE TEMPLE AT LAODIKEIA IN MEDIA / NAHAVAND, IRAN BY Mehdi RAHBAR 1 , Sajjad ALIBAIGI 2 , Ernie HAERINCK 3 & Bruno OVERLAET 4 ( 1 I.C.H.H.O.; 2 University of Razi, Kermanshah; 3 Ghent University & 4 Royal Museums for Art & History, Brussels) Abstract: Although important archaeological remains, such as Greek inscriptions and architectural elements are known from Nahavand since several decennia, it lasted until 2005 before a first exploratory season with excavations took place, followed by a second one in 2011. So far this research has led to important obser- vations for the Seleucid and Parthian periods, but it is still too early to be able to locate with precision the temple in honour of Laodike, wife of Antiochus III. However, this temple is most likely to be located in the northwestern part of the town since several Seleucid/Parthian architectural remains have been found there. Keywords: Laodikeia, Media, Nahavand, Queen Laodike, Antiochus III, Seleucid temple. Archaeological remains of the Seleucid period in Iran are scarce and so is the written evidence. Though, more than a century ago objects to be attributed to this period have been reported from Nahavand, but until recently no real attempt had been made to get more detailed information on the site. Nahavand, in Hamadan province, lies south of Hamadan and some 40 km southwest of Malayer and to the northwest of Borujerd (fig. 1). Previous discoveries In 1910/11 a chance discovery in the vicinity of Nahavand of several silver and golden objects and vessels, probably of Parthian date but likely also containing heirlooms, drew attention to this location (Herzfeld 1928) (Pl. 2, n° 1-3). As the story goes, a landowner while working on his land found a vaulted chamber, possibly a tomb, filled with gold and silver. A major discovery in 1944—once again a chance find—was made by a resident of Dokhaharan district in Nahavand city. Two Greek inscriptions