Iraq is home to Hatra, an ancient fortified city and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hatra flourished between the first and third centuries CE in northern Mesopotamia, west of modern Mosul. It was the capital of an Arab-ruled kingdom that occupied a strategic position between the Roman and Parthian spheres. Its strong walls and desert location helped it resist several Roman attacks, including campaigns associated with the emperors Trajan and Septimius Severus.
The city’s monumental temples combined local Mesopotamian traditions with Greek, Roman, and Iranian influences. Hatra’s principal sanctuary was dedicated to several deities, including the sun god Shamash. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Hatra is distinct from Babylon, which lies farther south in Iraq and belongs to a different historical setting.