Palmyra, Syria, is the ruin of a grand city at the edge of the Roman Empire, whose economy thrived on the camel caravans from Persia and points east. It was the main port of entry to the Roman Empire for this trade, and grew so strong, the last queen conquered Egypt, declared herself empress, and was headed for Rome itself when, in 273 a.d., the Roman Legions arrived in Palmyra with their own ideas. There’s still a living town a few miles away, but it can’t compare with the extensive stone ruins, the elaborate temples, marketplaces, and tombs that the Legions left for the desert to reclaim. It was shelled and partly destroyed further by the Islamic State after 2015, so perhaps this column is no longer standing.