Shahba (Philipapolis)

In Jabal Al-Arab region 90 kilometers south east of Damascus, Shahba stands in an oasis of orchards and vineyards. Renowned as the birthplace of the Syrian Emperor Phillip, who ruled the Roman Empire between 244 and 249 AD to honor him, the city bore the name Phillipopolis during the Roman period. He took a personal interest in the city, planned it after the Roman style, built numerous palaces and temples in it, erected triumphal arches and public baths, a theater and a great wall surrounding it. He is said to have wanted to turn Shahba into a replica of Rome itself.

Visitors to the Shahba museum can see the immense mosaic panels representing ancient Greek myths; the god of wine and fertility Dionysus, the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite, and the legendary poet and musician Orpheus. Another collection of Shahba's mosaic panels is in the National Museum in Damascus.

Remains of the city temple (Philipon), some public baths, parts of the old wall and its four gates, as well as the two intersecting thoroughfares and the Roman Canal can still be seen in the town.