Walls of Palmyra

The Aurelian and Diocletian walls, although surrounding a smaller area, provided a higher degree of protection as they tightly enclosed the city.

[1] They did not include protective towers,[2] and not only surrounded the residential areas, but also the gardens of the oasis which allowed Palmyra to exist.

Earlier twentieth century historians, such as Henri Seyrig and Denis Van Berchem, attributed those towers to the reign of emperor Justinian in the sixth century, based on the writings of the historian Procopius, who stated that Justinian strengthened the city’s defences.

[5] Comparative analysis of the Palmyrene U-shaped towers and similar structures from the region that are firmly dated to the fourth century suggests strongly that those defences are the work of Diocletian rather than Justinian.

The statement of Procopius might be an exaggeration; this does not mean that Justinian did not restore the city’s walls, but it does not indicate the construction of new ramparts.