Images Maramaya Ruwheia Sergilla Wadi Matoun

The destiny of the hinterland of the Dead Cities was closely linked to the main cities of the region and there is plenty of evidence to testify the changing condition of the urban centers in Syria. The 6th century was catastrophic for Syria in general. The urban prosperity of Antioch which had peaked in the 5th century, was disrupted by a number of disasters in the first half of the 6th century. There was an enormous fire in 525 and two violent earthquakes in 526 and 528.