FLOSSI AND ROMAN RUINS IN SYRIA
Ancient Origins of Palmyra
Palmyra, located in modern-day Syria, was one of the most important cities of the ancient world. The "Pearl of the Desert" was a crucial trading hub linking the Roman Empire to Persia, India, and China along the Silk Road. The city dates back to at least the 2nd millennium BCE, but it rose to prominence during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Palmyra became part of the Roman Empire in 64 BCE when Rome annexed Syria. By the 1st century CE, it had grown into a wealthy and cosmopolitan city, thanks to its role as a trade center between the East and the Mediterranean.
The Roman Golden Age (1st–3rd Century CE)
During the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, Palmyra flourished under Roman rule. The city blended Roman, Persian, and local influences, creating a unique cultural and architectural style. Some of its most famous structures from this period include:
The Temple of Bel (32 CE) was one of the most important religious buildings in the Roman world. It was dedicated to the Mesopotamian god Bel.
The Great Colonnade – A nearly 1.2 km (0.75 miles) long monumental street lined with towering Corinthian columns.
The Roman Theater – A well-preserved semi-circular structure for performances and public events.
The Tetrapylon – A grand monument marking the intersection of Palmyra’s main roads.
Funerary Towers and Tombs – Elaborate sandstone burial monuments showcasing the city's prosperity.
In the 3rd century CE, Queen Zenobia of Palmyra briefly led a rebellion against Rome, establishing the Palmyrene Empire (c. 270–272 CE). However, her rule was short-lived, as Roman Emperor Aurelian crushed the rebellion in 272 CE, bringing Palmyra back under Roman control.
Decline and Abandonment
Palmyra's importance declined after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Islamic rule in the 7th century CE. It was largely abandoned by the medieval period, though it remained a site of historical interest.
By the 19th and 20th centuries, archaeologists uncovered and restored much of Palmyra’s ruins, making it one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Destruction by ISIS (2015–2017)
In 2015, during the Syrian Civil War, the Islamic State (ISIS) captured Palmyra and deliberately destroyed many of its ancient monuments, considering them idolatrous.
Among the worst acts of destruction:
The Temple of Bel was dynamited in August 2015.
The Temple of Baalshamin was blown up in August 2015.
The Roman Theater – Partially destroyed and used for executions.
The Tetrapylon – Heavily damaged.
Several Tower Tombs were reduced to rubble.
ISIS also executed Khaled al-Asaad, an 82-year-old Syrian archaeologist who had overseen Palmyra's preservation for decades.
