Syria's communities and civilizations – history, sites and heritage
Romans (Roman Syria and Arabia)
الرومان
Civilizations and historical peopleshistorical
Pompey made Syria a Roman province in 63 BC, and Bosra became capital of the province of Arabia after AD 106. Roman Syria left theatres, temples, colonnaded streets and the city of Philippopolis built by the emperor Philip the Arab. This is a historical empire.
Palmyra came under Roman control in the mid-1st century AD, and Dura-Europos was annexed in 165. The theatre of Bosra, probably built under Trajan, is preserved intact, and the street plan of Damascus follows the Roman layout around the Temple of Jupiter.
Sources and details
Apamea's Great Colonnade, nearly 2 km long, was among the longest in the Roman world. Philip the Arab (r. 244–249), born at Shahba, rebuilt his village as the colonia Philippopolis; building stopped after his death in 249.
Rome's eastern frontier saw the Sasanians destroy Dura-Europos shortly after 256 and Aurelian level Palmyra in 273; Diocletian later built a military camp there.
Sites connected with this community 8
- ShahbaSuwayda · Archaeological sites
Shahba (Philippopolis), city of Philip the Arab.
- Shahba Museum (Philippopolis)Shahba, Suwayda · Museums
Shahba museum with Roman mosaics.
- Temple of Jupiter, DamascusDamascus · Archaeological sites
Remains of the Temple of Jupiter in Damascus.
- Ancient City of BosraDaraa · Historic architecture
Bosra, capital of the province of Arabia.
- Roman Theatre at BosraDaraa · Archaeological sites
Theatre of Bosra, probably built under Trajan.
- principia, Dura-EuroposDeir ez-Zor · Archaeological sites
Roman principia at Dura-Europos.
- ApameaHama · Archaeological sites
Apamea with its Roman Great Colonnade.
- Camp of DiocletianHoms · Archaeological sites
Camp of Diocletian at Palmyra.
These categories describe history, language and faith – not exclusive identities. Many Syrians belong to several, and some names refer to civilizations of the past.