Now that the extremist group ISIS has taken over Palmyra, Syria, the world is reacting in horror to the humanity implications as well as culturally, for the city is the site of historically significant ancient ruins — notably the Temple of Ba’al, an ancient theater, and a famous 2,000-year-old colonnade. “I am deeply concerned by the situation,” said Irina Bokova, Director General of Unesco. She added that the network of ruins forms “one of the most significant sites in the Middle East.”
