Syria, Palmyra. Funerary bust of a woman (2nd century A.D.) in National Museum of Damascus
Syria, Palmyra. Funerary bust of a woman (2nd century A.D.) in National Museum of Damascus. The woman is dressed in fine, luxurious, ornamented clothes with her jewelry on display, including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, a headband and a brooch.Her braided hair is visible under the headscarf. She carries a ball of thread in her hand, spinning and knitting were common tasks for most women in ancient Roman times. At the top right angle there is a funerary inscription in Palmyrean Aramaic,
Extraordinary details from the Temple of Bel, Palmyra, considered "the most important religious building of the first century CE in the Middle East". It originated as a Hellenistic temple, of which only fragments of stones survive. The central shrine (cella) was added in the early 1st century CE under Roman rule, followed by a large double colonnaded portico in Corinthian style. The west portico and the entrance (propylaeum) date from the 2nd century. The temple measures 205 × 210 m.