Bosra (, also Bostra, Busrana, Bozrah, Bozra, Busra Eski ?am, Busra ash-Sham, Nova Trajana Bostra) is an ancient city administratively belonging to the Daraa Governorate in southern Syria. It is a major archaeological site and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

The settlement was first mentioned in the documents of Tutmose III and Akhenaton (14th century BC). Bosra was the first Nabatean city in the 2nd century BC. The Nabatean Kingdom was conquered by Cornelius Palma, a general of Trajan, in 106.

Under the Roman Empire, Bosra was renamed Nova Trajana Bostra, and was the residence of the legio III Cyrenaica and capital of the Roman province Arabia Petraea. The city flourished and became a major metropolis at the juncture of several trade routes, including the Roman road to the Red Sea. The two Councils of Arabia were held at Bostra in 246 and 247 AD. The city continued under the Byzantine Empire, was conquered by the Sassanid Persians in the early 7th century, and finally conquered by the forces of the Rashidun Caliphate under Khalid ibn Walid in the Battle of Bosra in 634.

Today, Bosra is a major archaeological site, containing ruins from Roman, Byzantine, and Muslim times. The city features what is thought to be the best-preserved Roman theater in the world. Every year there is a national music festival hosted in the theater.

Notable people from Bosra

• Titus of Bostra, fl. 4th century AD, Christian theologian
• Saint Antipater of Bostra, fl. 5th century AD, Christian bishop
• Bahira, ca. 600 AD, Assyrian monk
• Ibn Kathir (1301-1373), Islamic scholar

Bosra:

Of the city which once counted 80,000 inhabitants , there remains today only a village of striking beauty settled among the ruins .The second century roman theater, constructed probably under Trajan is the only monument of this type with its upper gallery in the form of a covered portico which has been integrally preserved.

This unique monument , enclosed by the walls and towers of a splendid citadel , fortified between 481 and 1231 A.D , alone would suffice for the glory of Bosra .But Nabatean and Roman monuments Christian churches , Mosques and Madrasahs all equally as celebrated , are to be found within the half ruined enceinte of the city .The structure of this monument a central plan with eastern apses flanked by 2 sacristies exerted a decisive influence on the evolution of Christian architectural forms , and to a certain extent on Islamic Forms ,as well.

Ancient Roman theater

<gallery> Image:Bosra-Theatre.jpg Image:Bosra-TheatreStage.jpg Image:Sy bosra divadlo hlediste.jpg Image:Syria bosra theater.jpg Image:Roman theatre, bosra, syria, easter 2004.jpg </gallery>

Other ruins

<gallery> Image:Bosra-Citadel.jpg|A view of the citadel (the theater is located inside). Image:Bosra-Ruins.jpg|Roman ruins north of the citadel. Image:Bosra-NabateanArch.jpg|Nabatean Arch </gallery>

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia on Bosra
• Official website of Bosra city
• Bosra World Heritage site in panographies - 360 degree interactive imaging

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