Apamea on the Orontes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23465493 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Janine Balty (Centre belge de recherches archéologiques à Apamée de Syrie), Jean-Charles Balty (Classics, Université Paris-Sorbonne) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 715-730 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Oxford Handbook of the Hellenistic and Roman near East (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190858155.013.42 |
| OpenAlex | W4409664262 |
| ISBN | 9780190858155 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 4 |
The history of Apamea from the Seleucid period to the Arab conquest emphasizes the city’s military role. Earthquakes (ad 115, 528) changed the city’s appearance. Its intellectual life is attested by teaching philosophers, by the founding of the Apamean Neoplatonic school, and by discovery of mosaic pavements with clear Neoplatonic signification. The temple of Zeus Belos was destroyed about ad 386–388, and within decades many churches were constructed. Apamea was hurt by resumption of the Persian wars; in ad 592, a Persian commander burned the city and took many citizens captive. After battles in ad 636) and 637, Apamea opened its gates to the Muslim army of abu Ubaydah. Deep social changes ensued.
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |