Roman Syria and the Near East

Abstract

Syria includes some of the most famous and spectacular ruins of the ancient world Palmyra, Baalbek and Apamea and fabled cities such as Antioch, Damascus, Sidon and Tyre. Yet there are many other sites which are almost unknown, such as the great fortress city of Zenobia on the Euphrates or the remarkably well-preserved villages of the limestone massif of northwestern Syria.This book outlines Syria's pivotal role in Roman history and the conflicts between the empire and its two powerful eastern neighbors: the Parthians and Sasanians. The author discusses the consequences of empire in Syria: the provinces, 'client' kingdoms and city-states, the impact of Rome on the calendars and the economy, the exploitation of resources, the adoption of Christianity, the role of the army and the infrastructure developed by the Romans. Equally significant are regional and local responses: from art and public architecture to dress codes and cult activities. The author stresses continuity as well as change, whether in religion, taxes and trade, political boundaries, coinage or temple building, from the time of the Hellenistic empires and their antecedents through the Roman empire to the Muslim world.