DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0081
SECOND CENTURY
5i
buildings of the mosque which partly occupies it. Large portions of the inclosing
wall of the peribolos are still preserved on all sides, and, with them, are a number of
the columns which were members of the continuous portico that was carried around
the quadrangle. All of these remains have been generally considered to have been
about contemporaneous with the great colonnades of the city or to have belonged, in
large part, to the restorations which the Emperor Aurelian is known to have made
after the fall of Palmyra. Two inscriptions, 1 however, were found by Dr. Littmann
upon two columns of the portico at the eastern side; they are dated 28/29 and 70/71
a.d., and show that this portion of the temple inclosure, at least, is of an early date.
Colonnaded avenues similar to those at Palmyra are still to be found, standing in
part, at least, in two cities on the borders of the ancient province of Arabia, Bosra and
Gerasa. Ample remains of the same order are plainly visible at Shehba (Philippop-
olis), though all here are lying prostrate. The same feature is known, from ancient
descriptions, to have constituted one of the chief beauties of Antioch, and evidences
of such a structure on a grand scale are easily traceable in the fallen ruins of Apamea. 2
Temple of the Sun, at Palmyra. Northwest angle of peribolos from top of mosque.
It is in the classic remains of these last two cities — Antioch and Apamea — that
our interest would naturally center, in view of our study of the classic ruins of North-
ern Central Syria. The former was undoubtedly the political capital of the region in
question, while the latter was the nearest large city on its southern border.
1 See Part IV, Palm. inscs. i and
2The only colonnaded streets of classic times known outside of Syria are two in Asia Minor, which were
probably suggested by those at Antioch.
5i
buildings of the mosque which partly occupies it. Large portions of the inclosing
wall of the peribolos are still preserved on all sides, and, with them, are a number of
the columns which were members of the continuous portico that was carried around
the quadrangle. All of these remains have been generally considered to have been
about contemporaneous with the great colonnades of the city or to have belonged, in
large part, to the restorations which the Emperor Aurelian is known to have made
after the fall of Palmyra. Two inscriptions, 1 however, were found by Dr. Littmann
upon two columns of the portico at the eastern side; they are dated 28/29 and 70/71
a.d., and show that this portion of the temple inclosure, at least, is of an early date.
Colonnaded avenues similar to those at Palmyra are still to be found, standing in
part, at least, in two cities on the borders of the ancient province of Arabia, Bosra and
Gerasa. Ample remains of the same order are plainly visible at Shehba (Philippop-
olis), though all here are lying prostrate. The same feature is known, from ancient
descriptions, to have constituted one of the chief beauties of Antioch, and evidences
of such a structure on a grand scale are easily traceable in the fallen ruins of Apamea. 2
Temple of the Sun, at Palmyra. Northwest angle of peribolos from top of mosque.
It is in the classic remains of these last two cities — Antioch and Apamea — that
our interest would naturally center, in view of our study of the classic ruins of North-
ern Central Syria. The former was undoubtedly the political capital of the region in
question, while the latter was the nearest large city on its southern border.
1 See Part IV, Palm. inscs. i and
2The only colonnaded streets of classic times known outside of Syria are two in Asia Minor, which were
probably suggested by those at Antioch.