- Dura Europos was a Roman border city and fortress, known as ‘The Pompeii of the Syrian Desert’, in the Roman Province of Syria.
- The Ruins are located above the banks of the Euphrates near Salhiye in modern Syria,. It was held by the Romans between 164-257 CE. It defended against the Parthian Empire, along with Nisibis and Amida.
History
- Dura Europos controlled the river crossing on the Euphrates, where the caravan route passed between Antioch on the Orontes, and Seleucia on the Tigris.
- Dura Europos was founded by the Seleucid Empire c.300 BCE.
- 113 BCE Parthian Empire captured Dura Europos.
- 116-121 CE Trajan captured Dura Europos, but it was later retaken by the Parthians.
- 164 CE until 256-7 CE Dura Europos became a Roman Border Fortress, garrisoned by the Cohors XX Palmyrenorum, facing the Parthian Empire, along with Nisibis and Amida.
- It continually changed hands between the Parthian Empire and the Roman Empire.
- In 256-7 CE it was abandoned after a successful Siege by the Sassanid Empire under Shapur I.
- During excavations, amongst the parchments found written in Latin and Greek, was a Roman Puzzle, the Sator Square.
The Roman Sites
- Synagogue and its wall paintings.
- The House church
- Mithraeum
Museums
- Deir ez-Zor Museum
- Located in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. It holds the Finds from Dura Europas and other sites in Syria.
- Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG)
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
- The University Museum holds Finds from all continents and all periods of history including from Dura Europos.
Roman Roads
Dura Europos: