Philippopolis (city of Trachonitis)
Philippopolis, known as the city of Trachonitis, is an ancient site located in southwestern Syria, south of Damascus and west of the Sea of Galilee. This city is historically significant as the birthplace of Roman Emperor Philip the Arab around AD 204, who elevated its status by granting it the title of colonia metropolis. Consequently, the city became a center of Roman culture, with its mint producing coins featuring the emperor’s likeness alongside depictions of his family. Archaeological remains reflect its grandeur, showcasing a Philippeion, which served as a temple for the imperial family, as well as another shrine, a theater built from basalt, and large public baths. Visitors can also explore homes adorned with intricate polychrome mosaics and the layout of the city, which includes two main streets: the decumanus maximus and cardo maximus, the latter handling the majority of the city's traffic. Philippopolis stands as a testament to the region's rich historical and cultural heritage, offering insights into the intersection of local traditions and Roman influence.
Subject Terms
Philippopolis (city of Trachonitis)
(Shahba)
A city of Trachonitis (El-Leja in southwestern Syria), south of Damascus and west of the Sea of Galilee. It was the birthplace (cAD 204) of the Roman emperor Philip the Arab (244–49). He gave it the titles of colonia metropolis, and its mint issued coins, with Greek inscriptions, bearing his head and the portraits of his wife, Otacilia Severa, his son Philip the Younger, and his father Marinus, a local chieftain who now achieved deification. The remains of the city display a Philippeion, a temple of the imperial family, another shrine, a theater constructed of basalt blocks, large public baths, and houses containing extensive polychrome mosaic pavements. The two principal streets, the decumanus maximus (on a steep slope) and cardo maximus (which carried most of the traffic), can also be seen.