Arabic Bosra, Syria
The Islamic Occupation and Archaeology of an Ancient Roman City
After the fall of the Roman Empire and conquest by the Muslim Arabs, many Roman cities fell into obscurity or ruin. Bosra is an exception. The city instead continued to thrive; as an important stopping point for pilgrims to Mecca and a strategically fortified defence against the crusaders. Unlike many ancient sites, it continues as a living city today.
Arabic Bosra
Bosra fell to Muslim Arabs in 634AD. Unlike many Roman towns in the Middle East, it did not fall into obscurity but continued to flourish. This is because of its position on the road to Mecca and its association with the prophet Mohammed himself. The town also became a site of conflict during the crusades, leading to its fortification.
Many of the town’s roman features were reutilized and recycled. Many of those features related to the defence and prosperity of the medieval Islamic town. They still survive today.
Features of particular interest include:
- The Monastery of Bosra. Situated next to the makeshift modern bazaar, this Christian monastery, dating to the fourth century AD has a special significance to the prophet Mohammed. According to legend, the prophet visited the town as a boy and it was at the monastery that he met with one of its monks, Boheira. The two began a theological conversation that reputedly satisfied the monk of his young companion’s future destiny.
- The Mosque of Omar. Situated not far from the old roman forum, this mosque was reputedly built the year after the Arab conquest, making it one of the oldest mosques in the world
- The Roman Reservoir and the Hammam Manjak Baths. Bathing facilities continued to be an important public service in Bosra well into the middle ages. The 120 x 150m roman reservoir acquired a different function in Islamic Bosra. Instead of storing water, it was used by pilgrims wishing to bath themselves when they stopped at the town on the way to Mecca. The town also has a purpose built fourteenth century pilgrim’s bathhouse, the Hammam Manjak
- The Roman Theatre/Fortress. The theatre was first fortified in the tenth century when it was walled in and turned into a citadel. This process continued sporadically until the twelfth century AD when attacks by Crusaders led the Ayyubids who held Bosra to strengthen these fortifications. The result was a substantial fortress including reinforced walls and eight towers.
Bosra Today
Bosra is unique amongst ancient archaeological sites in that it still houses and provides a living for people today, within its ruins as well as well as outside them.
The trend for recycling the remains of its ancient past continues on the site today. Archaeological remains are a part of not only the livelihood but the homes of modern Bosrans. Their houses line its roman roads and are built from fragments of roman stonework. Fallen columns and capitals and Byzantine window frames can be seen acting as gateposts and built into garden walls.
Sources
Lonely Planet guide to Syria and Lebanon
Byzantine windowframe in garden wall of Bosra
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