Syria: A fresco from the Temple of the Palmyran Gods at Dura Europos (c.230 CE)

Fresco from the Temple of the Palmyran Gods in Dura Europos (c. 230 CE): An officer named Julius Terentius leads the soldiers of the 20th Palmyrenes, a cohort of mounted archers stationed on the Euphrates, in a ritual of bloodless sacrifice. He burns incense in honour of the three cult statues of gods dressed in military costume (Yarhibol, Aglibol, and Arsu), ranged on their pedestals on the upper left side of the fresco.

Beside Terentius is the standard bearer of the cohort with the troop colours and, next to him, a seated goddess who wears the mural (city) crown: an inscription identifies her as the goddess of Good Fortune of Palmyra.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History