Sura, Syria

Sura
Sura, Syria is located in Syria
Sura, Syria
Shown within Syria
LocationSyria
RegionRaqqa Governorate
Coordinates35°53′56.0″N 38°46′47.2″E / 35.898889°N 38.779778°E / 35.898889; 38.779778

Sura (Suriya), was an ancient city on the Euphrates River in northern Syria, today on a site 25 km west of Raqqa and 35 km north of Resafa. In the Roman Empire, Sura was a fortress city in the Roman province of Syria, and later on, in the Euphratensis.

In the 3rd century, Sura was a marginal attachment to the Strata Diocletiana to protect it against the Parthians. According to the Notitia dignitatum, Sura was the seat of the Prefect of the Legio XVI Flavia Firma. The legionary camp was located in the city and the city wall (1700 × 450 meters) was renewed under Justinian.

Remains of the fortress at Sura. Photo by Frank Kidner