The History of Palmyra   Temples Theater Tombs Museum Desert Palaces   Reduced to bare essentials, the history of Palmyra is rather short: this city took advantage of the decline of Petra, the trading city of the Nabateans. In the early 2nd century AD., it increased its role of intermediary between the entire Orient and the Mediterranean world. It committed the sin of conceit by revolting against Rome - and paid the price with its demise in 273. Palmyra is called Tadmor by the Arabs, a very ancient name appearing for the first time in the early 2nd millenary B.C., in an Assyrian text, discovered in the archives of a «Karum» (counter) created by the Assyrians in the antique Kanesh (Asia Minor). Mention of it is also made in two documents of the 18th century B.C. found at Mari. In the 11th century B.C., an Assyrian sovereign expelled the Aramaean who had taken the place of the Amorites from the oasis of Tadmor. As to the name of Palmyra, it was in use as of the Roman era. Under the Seleucids, it retained some independence and consequently prospered in trade with Persia, India, and Arabia. It was rich enough in 41 B.C. to attract the attention of Anthony who sent his cavalry to loot it. The attack was a failure, as the Palmyranians, informed of the danger, were able to take refuge on the left bank of the Euphrates with their treasures.     Previous - Next
© UR Travel 2006