Pearl of the Desert

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Palmyra has captivated global interest for centuries, especially due to its legendary Queen Zenobia, who in the third century CE defied Roman authority and expanded the city's reach into modern Turkey and Egypt. Although her empire was short-lived and ultimately crushed by the Romans, her ascent reveals much about Palmyrene identity before her defeat. Despite renewed scholarly and media attention on Zenobia, particularly as a political symbol in contemporary Syria, the period preceding her reign remains largely unexplored. This comprehensive history of Palmyra in English integrates extensive archaeological and literary evidence, covering its settlement from the Bronze Age to its emergence as a significant urban center during the late Hellenistic and Roman periods, its destruction in 273 CE, and its endurance through the Byzantine and medieval Islamic eras. The narrative concludes with Palmyra's modern rediscovery and its tumultuous experiences during the Syrian civil war, where it became a symbol of resistance, ISIS power, and Syrian state supremacy. Following years of devastation and looting, efforts for site security and restoration are underway. This pivotal moment in Palmyra's long history presents an opportune time to reflect on its past, present, and future.