Palmyra Syria a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ancient Tadmor, Site of the Temples of Bel and Hadrian's Gate
Jul 8, 2009
Palmyra lies 215 Km northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus, an oasis in the unforgiving Tadmorean desert. Its beginnings remain unclear but it’s thought that its spring waters attracted nomads from the surrounding desert.
In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered what is now Syria but it wasn’t until the Roman era that the city reached its peak. UNESCO’s Advisory Body Evaluation (1980) described the city as a wealthy caravan centre: “Alternately independent from and under submission to Rome.”
Rome had occupied much of Syria in 64 BCE, making its capital Antioch. Although Albert Dien from Stanford University acknowledged that Palmyra’s rise in importance coincided with Roman control of the region, he said it wasn’t until the reign of Tiberius (14-37 CE) that Palmyra became part of the province of Syria.
Roman Conquest of Nabatea
Following the Roman conquest of Nabatea in 106 CE, Palmyra replaced Petra as the most important trading centre in the Near East. Hadrian granted it ‘free’ status in 129 CE and it became a Roman colony in 212 CE.
Palmyra, under the rule of Empress Zenobia (267-272 CE) became the capital of a growing independent empire, which expanded through Egypt and much of Asia Minor. Her reign however was short lived. The story of Zenobia’s defeat by the Romans and subsequent transport to Rome in chains of gold is the stuff of legend.
Palmyra’s Architecture
UNESCO talks, in rather quaint language, of the city’s “vast embellishments” referring to its great colonnade, the Temples of Allat, and Bashamin, its Diocletian defensive walls and Roman theatre.
The Temple of Bel
These splendid examples are only a few illustrations of Palmyra’s ancient legacy. However the Temple of Bel, deserves a special mention. David Amott from Brigham Young University described Palmyra’s best-known structure, as among the most important buildings in the ancient world.
He said its architecture was: “A blend of eastern and western influences that reflected Palmyra’s multi-centred culture that was rooted in the traditions of both the ancient Mediterranean and Orient.”
The stark beauty of Palmyra has always generated eloquent prose but perhaps the words of Agatha Christie get it just about right.
“Its slender creamy beauty rising up fantastically in the middle of hot sand. It is lovely and fantastic and unbelievable, with all the theatrical implausibility of a dream.”
Sources:
Albert E Dien(Stanford University), Palmyra as a Caravan City, The Silkroad Foundation Newsletter – volume 2, number1, June 2004
Ivan Mannheim & Dave Winter, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon Handbook, pages 304-311, Footprint Handbooks 1998
UNESCO World Heritage, Site of Palmyra – Advisory Body Evaluation, 1980
David Amott, citing a range of sources, Text Panels for the Museum of Archaeology, Palmyra Syria, Brigham Young University, 2003
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Palmyra, Metropolitan Museum of Art
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