Images Te theater of Palmyra The great columnade The great arch The tetrapilon The Roman Duke of Palmyra

The Romans came to Syria in 64 B.C. and the whole of Syria became part of the Roman Empire. Palmyra had great importance, because of its position: it was next to the Euphrates and the Persian Empire. It was on the borders and was of strategic importance to the Romans, who needed to defend themselves against the Persian Empire, especially under king Odenathus who was called “the King of kings” or the “King of the Orient” by the Romans. He fought many battles against the Persians in the second half of the 3rd century A.D.