Images The valley of tombs at sunset Striking view of Palmyra

The first mention of Palmyra (called “Tadmor” at that time) dates back to the 2nd millennium B.C., in texts discovered in the city of Mari. From the 2nd to the 1st century B.C., Palmyra was an Aramaic kingdom, like Damascus, Hama or Homs. Its importance grew in the Roman age, in the 2nd century A.D., when it became an independent kingdom. Queen Zenobia made it a strong independent kingdom. During the war with the Romans though, Zenobia was defeated and they conquered the city again. Throughout the Byzantine period, a number of churches were built next to the ruins. In the 7th century, Palmyra was conquered by Khalid Ibn Walid, leader of the Arab Army under Caliph Abu Bakr.