Roman Rule

The Roman emperor, Trajan, captured the city in 115 CE, erecting a ceremonial arch outside the city, but Dura-Europors returned to Parthian control shortly thereafter. Marcus Aurelius reseized the city in 165 CE and established a permanent garrison, transforming Dura-Europos into a frontier fort. During the Roman occupation, the city experienced a number of important changes. In order to accommodate the Roman military population, many temples and shrines were demolished or built over. Four new religious buildings were introduced in this period: a temple to Jupiter Dolichenus, the Mithraem, the Jewish synagogue, and the Christian domus ecclesia.

Map of the city with location details