Periods, Cultures, Styles  > Palmyra

Palmyra

Refers to the culture of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra which was an important stop along the silk roads. Ancient Palmyra was an important stop for caravans traversing the Syrian Desert. The city was mentioned as early as the 19th century B.C.E., was under Roman rule, briefly became its own empire under Zenobia, and was destroyed in 273 C.E. by the Roman emperor Aurelian. It is most famous for its tower tombs, temples, colonnaded streets, and theatre, all recently destroyed by IS terrorists.