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While the Hauran today is an area which is beginning to find a new prosperity, it had until recently been a
comparatively backward region, beset by banditry and disaffection. Its agriculture had thus been neglected and
the Hauran left a harsh impression. In Roman times, however, the ecology was different and the Hauran was one of
the granaries of the empire. In this basaltic region we find the historical cities of Shahba, Qanawat, Bosra, and
Ezraa, the latter three going back to pre-Hellenistic, Hellenist and Nabatean limes.
All cities flourished in the Roman period and Bosra and Qanawat were members of the Decapolis, a loose commercial
federation of 10 cities allowed by the Romans to retain some degree of autonomy.
The exceptionally intact Roman theatre of Bosra is the most important site of the Roman period in Syria. The cities
retained their importance through the Christian era of the Later Roman Empire. The churches of St George and St.
Anias in Ezraa as well as the cathedral and the basilica in Bosra and the churches of Qanawat are considered to
tie of outstanding beauty and their architecture is unique.
Those who are interested in mosaics should definitely pay a visit to the museums in Shahba and Sweida which both
contain some of the best examples of the art of the late Roman period in Syria.
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