Iraq is home to the ancient city of Hatra, known for its fortified temples.
Hatra was a major caravan city in northern Mesopotamia and the capital of a semi-autonomous Arab kingdom between the first and second centuries CE. Its circular plan and massive defensive walls helped it withstand attacks by Roman forces.
The city’s religious architecture combined local Mesopotamian traditions with influences from Greece, Rome, and Iran. The central sacred area contained large iwans and temples dedicated to several deities, including the sun god Shamash.
Hatra is sometimes confused with Palmyra, another caravan centre with monumental ruins. Palmyra is in Syria, while Hatra is in Iraq, southwest of modern Mosul. Hatra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.