Apamea, Archaeological site in Al-Suqaylabiyah, Syria
Apamea is an ancient city in Al-Suqaylabiyah, Syria, with extensive ruins spanning several kilometers from the Seleucid and Roman periods. The remains include a orthogonal street layout, rows of columns, a large theater, and residential structures that show how the city was organized.
The city was founded around 300 BCE by Seleucus I Nicator and served as a major trade hub for the Seleucid Empire in northern Syria. It continued to develop under Roman rule and remained an important settlement through Byzantine times.
The site contains one of the largest Roman theaters in Syria, with a capacity of 20,000 seats and a diameter of 139 meters.
A visit requires private transportation and a local guide, as the site is not accessible by public transit. The grounds are large and exploration takes several hours, so plan for adequate water and sun protection.
An elaborate hunting mosaic was discovered here in 1935 depicting detailed scenes of animal capture from Roman times. The artwork now resides in a Brussels museum and was among the site's most valuable discoveries.
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