Temple of Hatra

A fortified Parthian caravan city in northern Iraq, known as Beit Elaha ('House of God') for its numerous temples. Encircled by inner and outer walls nearly 6.4 km in circumference with over 160 towers, Hatra withstood Roman sieges by emperors Trajan (116 AD) and Septimius Severus (198 AD) before being destroyed by Sassanid ruler Shapur I around 240 AD. Its Great Temple featured vaults and columns rising to 30 metres. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 as the best-preserved example of a Parthian city, it suffered damage from ISIS militants in 2015.