Syria's communities and civilizations – history, sites and heritage
Byzantines (Eastern Roman Syria)
البيزنطيون (الروم)
Civilizations and historical peopleshistorical
In late antiquity Syria was part of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and largely Christian. Its legacy includes the Dead Cities of the limestone massif, the pilgrimage church of St Simeon Stylites and the walled pilgrimage city of Resafa-Sergiopolis. Byzantine rule ended with the Arab conquest of 634–638.
The Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, built between the 1st and 7th centuries, illustrate the transition from the pagan Roman world to Byzantine Christianity in village communities. Resafa was renamed Sergiopolis after a church was built over the grave of St Sergius; Justinian built its ramparts.
Sources and details
Bosra's 6th-century cathedral of Sergios, Bacchos and Leontios is an important example of early church architecture. Apamea's colonnade was partly restored under Justinian before the city was sacked by Khosrow I.
Bosra was the first Byzantine city entered by the Arabs (634) and Resafa was lost after the battle of Yarmuk (636). Later Byzantine works include the 10th-century beginnings of Qal'at Salah ed-Din (Saone), and Byzantium took Margat in 1104.
Sites connected with this community 9
- Church of Saint Simeon Stylites (Qal'at Sim'an)Mount Simeon, Aleppo · Churches & monasteries
Pilgrimage church of St Simeon (c. 490).
- Dead CitiesAleppo · Archaeological sites
Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (UNESCO).
- Deir Sem'an (Telanissos, pilgrimage village below St Simeon)Aleppo · Churches & monasteries
Deir Sem'an, pilgrimage village below St Simeon.
- Cathedral of BosraDaraa · Churches & monasteries
6th-century cathedral of Bosra.
- Church of Qalb LozeQalb Loze (Jabal al-Summaq), Idlib · Churches & monasteries
5th-century basilica of Qalb Loze.
- Ruweiha (Dead City with churches)Idlib · Churches & monasteries
Ruweiha, Dead City with churches.
- Citadel of Salah Ed-DinLatakia · Castles & fortresses
Saone, with 10th-century Byzantine beginnings.
- Basilica of St Sergius, Resafa (Sergiopolis)Raqqa · Churches & monasteries
Basilica of St Sergius at Resafa.
- ResafaRaqqa · Archaeological sites
Resafa-Sergiopolis with Justinian's walls.
These categories describe history, language and faith – not exclusive identities. Many Syrians belong to several, and some names refer to civilizations of the past.