The Syrians Who Shaped Rome: Julia Domna, Philip the Arab and Apollodorus of Damascus

We usually picture Rome ruling Syria. But the story runs both ways: Syrians reached the imperial throne, built Rome's most famous monuments and led its Church.

Julia Domna, the empress from Homs

Julia Domna was born in Emesa — today's Homs — into the family of the priests of the sun god. She married the Roman general Septimius Severus, who became emperor in 193, and so became empress of Rome. She was no shadow: she travelled with her husband on campaign, surrounded herself with philosophers and writers, and held great influence during the reign of her son Caracalla. After her, two more relatives from Homs ruled Rome: Elagabalus and Severus Alexander.

Philip the Arab, the emperor from Shahba

Philip was born in Shahba in the Jabal al-Arab of southern Syria and became Roman emperor in 244. Under him, Rome celebrated its thousandth anniversary in 248 with enormous games. He rebuilt his home village as a Roman city called Philippopolis — its paved streets, theatre and baths still stand in Shahba today, a short drive from Bosra.

Apollodorus of Damascus, architect of an empire

Apollodorus of Damascus was the chief architect of the emperor Trajan in the early second century AD. He is credited with:

• Trajan's Market and Trajan's Forum in Rome.
• Trajan's Column, famous for its spiral reliefs of the Dacian wars.
• The great bridge over the Danube, one of the longest bridges of the ancient world.

Some also credit him with a role in the Pantheon as it stands today, though historians disagree.

Syrian popes

In the seventh and eighth centuries several popes of Syrian origin sat in Rome, among them Gregory III and Sergius I. Much earlier, in the second century, came Pope Anicetus, whom the sources describe as coming from Emesa.

Where to see this history

• Shahba, Qanawat and Bosra in the south.
• Homs, Julia Domna's city, near Krak des Chevaliers.
• The National Museum of Damascus.