Shahba the Icon of Archeology

Shahba is considered from the most important archeological sites in Al-Sweida governorate.

Its location on the governorate’s famous volcano gave the city a special beauty. The city archeological treasure makes it a beautiful banal that was painted by great past.

The city which old 1745 was build between (244- 249) AD. the archeological researchers describe shahba city as the icon of ruins. The ruins in shahba constitute a mixture from history and present days.

 From the most important ruins in shahba are its famous gates which were constructed for celebrating the visit of the famous emperor Philip.

Shahba as the researchers say is forming a complete picture of archeological and religious symbols at its time. The ancient hallways, gates, columns, and theater in shahba are constituting a clear evidence on the city glorious history.

Shahba theater: the theater’s location is in the south of shahba city.

It constitutes from tow stories. It’s nine ranks can contain 2000 audience.

Near the theater there is a temple with a big square in front of it. The temple is connected with the theater via a Romanian street which is named by shahba citizens (the street of stones).

The temple’s importance came from its being as the origins of whole Christian Byzantine churches.

In front of the temple there are also a big square which was constructed for political meeting, and on the left of it there is a distinguished graveyard for the family of the Arab Emperor Philip who ruled Rome between (244-249). Inside the graveyard which its height reaches to 3m there are hallways, arches and beside it there are stairs which reached to 3 m. the stairs were established for connecting the graveyard with the temple.

In Shahba city we recognized also the Romanbathrooms which were build by the emperor Philip to give the city a special importance.

The bathrooms’ height estimated at 10m.they are constituting from three divisions for water (cold,hot and moderate).

The Roman Palace (AL_Dara) is also located near the bathrooms.

The palace contains 24 rooms and includes the famous mosaic panels which is considered as the most beautiful one all over the world. The mosaic panels are Talasa panel (the goddess of sea), the four seasons panels.

The Orfa panel or the guitar player in addition to the panel of legend of the goddess of beauty.

Nahla maaz for Syriatimes –al- Sweida governorate