![]() The task of defending his people against a different enemy, the Saracens, who Neighbor, the kingdom of Persia, which was then in the hands of a new dynasty Measures included strengthening the eastern defenses of the empire against its That ushered in a new phase in the long history of the Roman Empire. Eventually, in 284, a soldier by the name ofĭiocles seized the empire, changed his name to Diocletian, and began a renewal Particular, it reveals that the security arrangements were overhauled after theĮmpire had weathered 50 years of turmoil, which included invasion, civil war,Īnd violent political instability. While a powerful imagination is often essential for visitors seeking to appreciate the former scale of even comparatively well-preserved Roman forts, Qasr Bshir is different. As well as providing unequivocalĮvidence for when the fort was founded, this helps us to date the wholeįramework of defense in this section of the eastern frontier. Under the governor of the province of Arabia. Praetorium Mobene by name, was built during the reign of the emperor Diocletian and his colleagues between 293 and 305 CE, Inscription over the main entrance tells us that the installation, Castra Providing a focus for religious life in the fort, this was where the unit This, coupled with the existence of similarly placedĮxamples elsewhere, suggests that the structure was a temple. Room, positioned directly opposite the fort entrance, is notable for theĪbsence of any mangers. The soldiers will have been quartered on the floor above. Wall, suggesting that this space served as stables with - presumably - three Most of the lower rooms contain three mangers built into the curtain Small hole in the stone door jambs where a piece of leather could hold the doorĮach pair of corner towers were ranges of two-story buildings set against the Preservation is such that visitors can still observe the On each floor, and it remains possible to climb to the top via a set of stairsĪnd landings arranged around a central column in a manner likened to a “square Great corner towers would also have made an impression. Massive masonry may have been intended to overawe onlookers the inside walls, These stones are enormous - megalithic is an appropriate description. The same cannot be said of the masonry used to build it. Square in plan, measuring about 57m by 54m, which is small by Roman fort The ruins of Qasr Bshir reveals much about this military post. Importance, and their plans for its future. Three promoters of the project explain the history of Qasr Bshir, its Roman scholars had agreed to offer their names to a support group. The cost of the conservation of the entrance, and a group of international Qasr Bshir Conservation Project, Richard Beleson had offered a grant to cover Within days, HRH Prince Hassan had agreed to serve as patron of the newly named Why was a Roman fort built here in the middle of nowhere? What did the soldiers do? Where did their supplies come from?įollowing day, they visited Qasr Bshir, noted the deterioration of theĭedication slab, and decided that it was time to tackle its conservation. Present: Fawzi Abudanah of Al-Hussain bin Talal University, Mark Driessen of Roman Empire: The Eastern Frontiers, in Amman”. Year, HRH Prince Hassan launched a new publication, “The Frontiers of the To address these concerns have recently gained momentum. How long this will remain the case is a different matter, as the Was once standard practice, but now Qasr Bshir finds itself unique as the soleĮxample of a Roman fort where the original building inscription is in situ over ![]() ![]() Post still greets anyone passing through the main entrance. high, while a Latin dedication slab commemorating the construction of the Its imposing corner towers still stand three stories - that is, 13m Powerful imagination is often essential for visitors seeking to appreciate theįormer scale of even comparatively well-preserved Roman forts, Qasr Bshir isĭifferent. The fort offers an iconic example of a Roman military installation. Supplies come from? Happily, the ruins of Qasr Bshir present answers as well as Here in the middle of nowhere? What did the soldiers do? Where did their And the visitor has justĮxperienced one of the most sublime journeys to any Roman fort anywhere.Īrrival, most visitors must have similar thoughts. Gradually, itīecomes larger until it is a recognisable building: a square fortification with No habitation can be seen, apart from a small modern farm in a South of Amman soon becomes a dirt track across the desert. An insignificant tarmac road leading off Jordan’s Desert Highway about 80km
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