Established at the beginning of the Hellenistic period as an important military colony designed to protect the lower Euphrates river, Dura Europos offers a fascinating glimpse into the early representational art of the Christian and Jewish traditions.  A visit to the site includes a fascinating array of Pagan, Roman, Semitic, Christian, and Jewish sites of worship.  Examples of Dura’s archeological treasures are on display in prestigious museums around the world, including Yale University in the United States and the Louvre in Paris.  Make sure to visit the 1800 year-old Dura synagogue, installed in the National Museum in Damascus, and its frescoes depicting human forms in scenes from the Old Testament.