Extract

Palmyra (Tadmor) gained wealth, power, and splendour particularly in Roman times. From it, a central Syrian desert oasis with hills, wadi, and spring (Efqa), routes ran in all directions. Efqa yielded neolithic stone tools, c.7,500 bce, and c. 7000 bce. A community, Tadmor (of uncertain etymology), enters the records c.2000 bce. Puzur-Ishtar the ‘Tadmorean’ made a contract at Kanesh (Kültepe), Asia Minor (19th cent. bce); Syrian archives mention Tadmoreans, Suteans (nomads) pillaging, and the Amurru king's demand for taxes. The *Assyrians (1115–1077) defeated, near Tadmor, Aramaeans and (645–644) *Arabs, who penetrated western Asia and comprised half of Roman Tadmor's population. Tadmor rose rapidly after Seleucid extinction (64/3 bce), becoming semi-independent, and exploiting caravans between Roman (coastal) Syria and Parthia. Crafts-people developed Tadmor's ‘Parthian’ art style. From 44 bce there are Aramaic inscriptions, often with Seleucid-era dating, documented (profile-figured) art and architectural commissions. In 41 bce, M.