Bostra (Bosra, Bozra)

The desert city of Bostra (from Semitic busra , "fort"), which is today in Syria, stood at the north end of the easternmost Nabatean trade route; this came up from "Happy Arabia" through the 300-mile long Wadi Sirhan, which has enough ground water to sustain traffic. The Nabateans were able to develop the place because of their enormous skill in harnessing meagre water supplies. From here they could connect northward via Damascus, westward via Gerasa, and eastward through the desert to a city called Gerrha on the Persian Gulf. Bostra became especially vital to them in the late first century AD, because the Romans took control of the southern trade that had earlier passed through Petra. (The Romans occupied a Nabatean port on the Red Sea and diverted the erstwhile Petra trade to their own ports on the Egyptian side and thence to Alexandria.)  

After Vespasian put down the Jewish revolt and pacified the region (70 AD), Rome began developing trade with Mesopotamia via Palmyra. Bostra became important as a fort for protecting this commerce. In 106 AD, the Emperor Trajan peacefully dissolved the Nabatean kingdom, incorporating it into his new "Provincia Arabia." Bostra became its capital. A legion was stationed here.

The Nabatean and Roman remains may still be seen. Bostra is reputed to have the best preserved Roman theatre in the world.