Center for Peace, nonviolence and human rights is presenting Apamea, Syria as a part of its campaign “Architecture and History” in the framework of INTEGRA project.

On the bank of Syria’s Orontes River lie the remains of ancient city, Apamea. In 300 BC, the city was founded by Seleucus Nicator who served as a General under Alexander the Great. Before Apamea made its way as a major Hellenistic city and epicenter of the Seleucid Empire, it was known as Pharmake. Seleucus’s wife, Apame, was the inspiration for the new title.

Apamea served as the home to a population of an impressive half a million people. Among the half a million were many notable physicians, philosophers, academics and bishops of the time. In addition to its residents, Apamea was also known to host distinguished visitors such as Cleopatra and numerous Roman emperors.

The ancient city had the Roman Theatre at Apamea to be proud of in addition to the Great Colonnade. The theatre is massive with the credentials of an outstandingly large 139-meter seating section. It is estimated to have held audiences of over 20,000 people and there is only one other larger known theatre (Theatre of Pompey).