Palmyra (now Tadmor,تدمر, Syria) was an ancient city in central Syria, located on an oasis about 210 km (130 mi) northeast of Damascus.

Palmyra's strategic location, roughly halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Euphrates River, made the city an imporant stopping point for trade caravans.

The name "Palmyra" means "city of palms."

History

Palmyra was made part of the Roman province of Syria during the reign of Tiberius (14 AD - 37 AD) and steadily grew in importance until it became a free city under Hadrian in 129 AD. In the Third Century, its Queen Septimia Zenobia rebelled against Roman authority, but in 272 the Roman Emperor Aurelian finally captured her and brought her back to Rome. After parading her in golden chains, he allowed her to retire to a villa in Tibur (now Tivoli, Italy), where she took an active part in society for years.

External links

• http://www.ancientroute.com/cities/palmyra.htm
• http://i-cias.com/e.o/palmyra.htm