Palmyra and ISIS

Thanks to Tim Whitmarsh who wrote this beautiful article

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/25/palmyra-tolerant-multicultural-isis-ancient-city-migrants-savagery

Loss of life should not be overshadowed by loss of monuments. There is, however, great sadness in the destruction of beauty.

The monuments are glorious: the great colonnade, the triumphal arches, the temple of Bel and the numerous tombs erected for the glory of the families. 

Sunset over Palmyra- From wikimedia.

But it is the culture that was developed in Palmyra that deserves attention. Palmyra was a merchant city, with warehouses situated along the Euphrates. It facilitated trade between the far-east and the Roman world. In many ways, it was the gateway to the west, and the gateway to the east.

Palmyra welcomed merchants from the Persian world, where they mingled with merchants from the Roman world. It was in this cosmopolitan environment, filled with Greek and Roman architecture that the family of Odaenathus rose to prominence. The destruction of the trade lines by Shapur (destruction of the warehouse at Charax and Doura-Europos) put Odaenathus firmly in the Roman camp. With the Palmyrene archers mounted on camels (it is not entirely true, but the ala camelorum is well attested), he besieged Ctesiphon, the Persian capital.

His wife Zenobia, after his death, would build an Empire in the Near-East. For a few years between 267 and 272, she controlled the entire fertile crescent from Armenia to Egypt (Egypt was conquered in 270). This is an impressive feat the Persians were never able to achieve. It took the legions of Aurelian to destroy the Palmyrenische Sonderreich.

A Palmyrene noble woman- from online instagram.

As a young graduate student, I was absorbed in this world: its merchants, its structures, its leaders. The deeds of Odaenathus and Zenobia are recorded on the columns of the great Colonnade, placed aside the many caravans who posted messages of thanks to the caravan-leaders for carrying them safely across the desert. I imagined in glorious Palmyra, walking along alleys full of palm trees in a bustling city where spices and fine silks were traded. It was my imaginary orient.

Palmyra provided for me so many things. I imagined the spaces but I discovered the world through an academic lens. My research was fueled by my fascination for this desert city so full of people. It is through Palmyra that my professional life began.

I pray that this is not an obituary, that Palmyra will continue to overtake professional and amateurs alike. Because Palmyra can do that.

The Fall of Palmyra- Herbert Schmalz

Arabia's fierce and desolating horde
Rome's conquering eagle, Babylonia's sword
All we behold, but chief one form appears,
Rising radiant from the gulf of years:
Proud is her step, her dark eye varying oft,
Now flashing fire-now languishingly soft;
The jeweled crown well suits that brow serene
'Tis great Zenobia, Tadmor's glorious Queen.

Nicholas Mitchell- On the ruins of many lands (1850).

I regret now that I discovered her through books.

Some books:

Stoneman, Richard- Palmyra and its Empire (with some problems)
Winsbury, Rex- Zenobia of Palmyra (great pictures)
Smith, Andrew M- Roman Palmyra
Dirven, Lucinda- The Palmyrenes of Dura-Europos

in general

Millar, Fergus- The Roman Near East.