Bosra is the most important Roman site in Syria because of the magnificent and exceptionally intact Roman theatre. Bosra has played an important role in exchanges with Egypt in the bronze age. It is mentioned under the name of Bosrana in the archives of the 18th pharaonic dynasty. After the 7th century A.D. however, Bosra lost of its importance and its destiny is hardly known.

 

 

Seidnaya means “our lady” in Syriac. The village is spread out over a hilltop and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The square houses, with high airy arcaded fronts, rise like giants on the rocky hill which is crowned by imposing buildings. It has a fortress with many columns which vaults are blue, and a very old Byzantine church .

 

 

 

 

Its little houses cling to the face of the rocks look suspended in the mid-air. There are two monasteries here: Saint Sergius and Saint Taqla’s. The inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the language spoken by the Christ. Two neighboring villages: Jab’a and Naj’a also speak this language. The word “Maaloula” means “entrance” in Aramaic.

 

 

 

Its Arabic name is Afamia.

It was founded by Saluqos Nikator’s who named it Apamea after his wife’s name. It symbolizes the encounter of the two civilizations: Greek and Syrian. It is famous for the intellectuals it attracted, its ruins which are outstanding beautiful, and it is also famous for its old stables.   

 

 

 

 

Mari was discovered during the excavation of tell Hariri. The excavation was done by a French mission, headed by André Parrot. It is famous for its royal palace which is composed of 300 rooms and the officers hall decorated with pictogramms kept at the Louvre museum. 

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