Palmyra: Did you mean...?

The Crisis of the Third Century (also known as the Imperial Crisis, 235-284 CE) was the period in the history of the Roman Empire during which it splintered into three separate political entities: the Gallic Empire, the Roman Empire, and...

The Nabatean Kingdom was a powerful political entity which flourished in the region of modern-day Jordan between the 4th century BCE and c. 106 CE and is best known today for the ruins of its capital city of Petra. Although it is clear that...

Gertrude Bell (l. 1868-1926) was an archaeologist, travel writer, explorer, and political administrator responsible for creating the borders of the countries of the Near East after World War I and, especially, for the foundation of the modern...

Cniva (also given as Kniva, c. 250 CE to possibly 270 CE) was the king of the Goths who defeated Emperor Decius (249-251 CE) at the Battle of Abritus in 251 CE. Little is known of him other than his campaign in 251 CE, in which he successfully...

No other Roman emperor travelled as much as Hadrian (r. 117-138 CE). The 'restless' emperor spent more time travelling than in Rome, devoting half of his 21-year reign to the inspection of the provinces. His travels provided him with the...

During the Crisis of the Third Century, Rome was on the verge of collapse from internal and external threats. But just as the east seemed lost, a hero would rise to bull it back from the brink. Odaenathus, the Ras of Palmyra! Support future...

This map illustrates the shifting web of overland and maritime routes—later dubbed the “Silk Road”—that linked China, India, and Southeast Asia with Persia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Europe. From desert caravans to monsoon-powered ships...

A modern restoration of the Temple of Bel (also known as the Temple of Baal) in Palmyra. The temple was constructed in 32 CE, and was one of the most well-preserved temples in Syria until it was partially destroyed by ISIS in 2015 CE.

Bust of Habba, daughter of 'Oga, son of Yarhai, shown carrying a child on her left arm. 3rd century CE, Palmyra, modern-day Syria. Louvre Museum, Paris.

The lady Marti, a funerary portrait of a woman from Palmyra, c. 170-190 CE (Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen).