ISIS Demolishes Ancient Hatra site in Iraq

Islamic State Militants have demolished the 2000 year old ancient city of Hatra in Northern Iraq. United Nations has condemned this as an act of Barbarism. Hatra is situated 110 km south of Mosul, the largest city under ISIS control. Few days back the militants released a video of smashing statues and carvings in the city’s museum, home to priceless Assyrian and Hellenistic artefacts dating back 3,000 years. The remains of the Assyrian city of Nimrud was bulldozed by the militants. Archaeologists have compared the assault on Iraq’s cultural history to the Taliban’s destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas in 2001.

Hatra Site

• Hatra dates back 2,000 years to the Seleucid empire, is famous for its striking pillared temple which mixes Graeco-Roman and eastern architecture. 
• Hatra was announced as the UNESCO heritage site in 1985. 
• Once upon a time Hatra was flourished as a religious and trading center. 
• Hatra was the best preserved and most informative example of a Parthian city.