History of Roman Syria

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[edit] Syria under Roman Rule

Syria was an important Province for the Roman Empire, conquered in 64 BC by Pompeius. This province provided the Empire with three legions defending the Parthian border. In the 1st Century, the Syrian Army enabled Vespasian's coup. During the Severan Dynasty, the Syrians even reached for Imperial Power, during the 3rd century crisis Syria was strategically important to the Empire. By 260 AD, Zenobia Queen of Palmyra established the Palmyrene Empire by taking the Provinces of Syria, Armenia, Egypt, Mesopotamia and South-Eastern Anatolia. Syria remained under palmyrene control until 273 AD when Emperor Aurelian reconquered this provinces. Syria then remained under Roman rule until the 7th Century, The Empire was splitted in two in 395 thus the province belonged to the Eastern Roman Empire.

[edit] Syria under Byzantine Control

Syria was plagued by Sassanid invasions which were usually resolved by treaties or wars, the most costly came in the 7th Century when Sassanid armies invaded and overran Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt and part of Anatolia by 620. This conquest left the Sassanids almost bankrupt, hearing of this Emperor Heraclius fought a war with the Sassanids, it ended up reconquering all lost territories but leaving both Empires exhausted.