Key Dates
In the mid-first century, Palmyra came under Roman control and was captured by Muslim Arabs in 634. The city declined under Ottoman rule and in the 17th century its location was rediscovered by western travellers. It was made a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1980.
Key People
In 41 BC, the Romans under Mark Antony tried to occupy Palmyra but failed. Eventually the city was made part of the Roman province of Syria during the reign of Tiberius (14–37). In 129, Hadrian visited the city and was so enthralled that he proclaimed it a free city and renamed it Palmyra Hadriana.The city was captured by the Muslim Arabs under Khalid ibn Walid in 634.
In ancient times, Palmyra was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 120 km southwest of the Euphrates. It was a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert and was known as the Bride of the Desert. The earliest documented reference to the city by its pre-Semitic name Tadmor, Tadmur or Tudmur, is recorded in Babylonian tablets found in Mari.
Related Structures
The most striking building in Palmyra is the huge temple of Ba'al, which originated as a Hellenistic temple, of which only fragments of stones survives.
The second most noteworthy remain in Palmyra is the theatre, which today has nine rows of seating, but most likely had up to 12 with the addition of wooden structures. It has been dated to the early 1st century AD.
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Location
Palmyra Palmyra Syria
34° 33' 2.1384" N , 38° 16' 7.6152" E Google Map
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