In 3000 BC Alexander’s lieutenant Seleucos founded Doura Europos. Occupied by the Parthians, then by the Romans, the town was closely linked to Palmyra which it served as a defense against the Persians.

In 256 AD, the city was captured and destroyed. The site was considered insignificant until the discovery of both a Synagogue and a Christian church each of which was decorated with religious scenes. Both discoveries were important because they evidence the rich religious heritage of the region. The Christian church dates to the third century. The church, actually a converted private home, is both the earliest and best preserved church in the world . It was built before Constantine officially recognized Christianity.

Since excavation, the Synagogue and its impressive frescoes depicting scenes from the Old Testament is exhibited in the Damascus National Museum. However, in the 1930’s the Church was transported to a museum at Yale University.

The town of Doura Europos extending over 73 Hectares is enclosed by vast walls fortified with three gateways . These defenses are still impressively intact. At this site sixteen temples have been discovered. Inscriptions in Parthian, Palmyrene and Latin have been found .

Doura Europos was probably built of gypsum. Its fragments glitter like diamonds.