THE LEGACY OF
ANCIENT PALMYRA
عربي
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Ancient Palmyra

When Cassas visited Palmyra in 1785, and Vignes nearly 80 years later, they experienced an ancient site that still stirred emotions more than a dozen centuries after its downfall. Positioned at a crossroads, Palmyra was a nexus of ideas and innovations streaming from east and west that made it one of the most cosmopolitan centers in antiquity. Sometimes referred to as Roman-Baroque, the unique style of Palmyra's architecture and sculpture reveals a diverse blend of influences.

Extending some three kilometers, the vast ruins attest to Palmyra's prominence during the 1st to 3rd century CE, particularly the city's expansion from the mid-2nd century, when many of its magnificent buildings were erected. Both Cassas and Vignes employed panoramic vistas to capture the magnitude of this tumultuous ruined landscape, which they complemented with architectural details to record the singularity of the monuments. This section outlines the factors that contributed to Palmyra's rise in power and the salient features characterizing its unique culture.

 

Trade

Inscriptions

Religion

Funerary Sculpture

Roman