Apamea

For thousands of years, kings and empires have made their mark on Syria, the legacy of which includes some extraordinary archeological sites. As the conflict in Syria escalates, the country's heritage has become a battleground in the unrest.

Apamea is one of the great ancient cities of the Middle East. Founded in the 3rd century BC by a former general of Alexander the Great, it was seized in 64 BC for Rome by Pompey. Reportedly, it has now been damaged by extensive shelling and by bulldozers.