Roms Limes im Orient

In 64 BC, Pompey the Great crushed the armies of Syrian ruler Antiochus XIII and founded the Roman province of Syria in the area of the Euphrates. The Romans connected the conquered territory via a network of over 1,000 kilometres of roads, securing it with a fortified border (“Limes”) consisting of towers, military encampments and castles. The exact location and defence measures of the Limes are still largely unknown. How did the Romans manage to maintain their position of supremacy in the Middle East for over 700 years?

The scientists study Qasr Bushir – the best-preserved castle of the Roman Empire – from the air and also discover the former Roman road Nova Traiana – a stone highway of the ancient world, today almost completely concealed by sand.

Along the shores of the Euphrates, our archaeologists discover the scattered remnants of former border fortresses: the scene of a dramatic Roman rear-guard action during their ongoing wars against the Persian and Parthian empires. In a remote stretch of land, there is a glorious desert castle of the Omaijads from the 7th century. The Arabian castle has a rectangular floor plan. The “Schliemann’s Heirs” team uncovers oriental evidence of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Concept Gisela Graichen Written by Gisela Graichen Written and directed by Michael Harder and Peter Prestel Director of photography Roland Breitschuh, Steffen Böttrich, Thomas Bianga Maximilian Schecker, Resa Asarschahab Edited by Susanne Strobel Research Jean-Christoph Caron Location Manager Sven Heiligenstein Associate Producer Eva-Maria Imlau Production manager Jörg Kunkel Editorial department Dr. Gudrun Ziegler, ZDF Head of production Ulrich Lenze, Cinecentrum Air date ZDF, February 1st, 2004 » back