History of Syria

Prehistory and Early Civilizations

The first human settlements in Syria date back to the Neolithic period. Tell es-Sawwan and other archaeological sites show evidence of early agriculture and animal husbandry. Damascus is often cited as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Bronze Age and Early Empires

Rise of city-states such as Ebla, Mari, and Ugarit. This period saw the development of the first alphabet in Ugarit. Syria became an important trade center between Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Iron Age and Arameans

The Arameans settled in Syria and made Aramaic the lingua franca of the Middle East. Damascus became the capital of the Aramean kingdom of Aram-Damascus.

Persian Period

Syria became part of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great. This period brought relative stability and cultural exchange.

Hellenistic Period

Alexander the Great conquered Syria in 332 BCE. After his death, the area became part of the Seleucid Empire. Antioch became one of the largest cities of the ancient world.

Roman and Byzantine Period

Syria became a Roman province. Palmyra reached its peak under Queen Zenobia. Christianity spread throughout the region. After the division of the Roman Empire, Syria became part of the Byzantine Empire.

Islamic Period

The Arab conquest brought Islam to Syria. Damascus became the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750). Later, the Abbasids, Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks followed.

Ottoman Period

Syria became part of the Ottoman Empire. This 400-year period brought stability but also gradual decline. The 19th century saw reforms and growing Arab nationalism.

French Mandate

After World War I, Syria came under French mandate. This period saw the formation of modern state borders and growing independence movements.

Modern Syria: Post-Independence and Recent Developments

Syria gained independence in 1946. The country went through various political phases, including the United Arab Republic with Egypt (1958-1961) and the Ba'ath Party rule from 1963. The period from 2011 onwards marked a significant shift with the onset of the Syrian Civil War, leading to widespread conflict, humanitarian crisis, and significant geopolitical involvement.

As of July 2025, Syria is undergoing a period of significant political transition following the fall of the previous regime. A new transitional government, formed in March 2025, is in place, aiming to stabilize the country and address the ongoing humanitarian challenges. International sanctions have been revoked by some major powers, and there is a cautious optimism for economic recovery, though the path remains fragile. Security challenges persist in various regions, and rebuilding efforts are underway in devastated cities like Aleppo and Homs.