History 'defines' Syrian people's lives
Dan Snow travels to Syria to see how the country's history is shaping the current civil war.
For thousands of years, empires and despots have fought for control of the strategically vital region, leaving behind stunning temples, castles and mosques, as well as a diverse cultural heritage.
Those conflicts - from the Roman conquests to the crusades, from the French colonial invasion to the military coups of the 1960s - loom large in today's conflict.
A History of Syria with Dan Snow is broadcast on Monday, 11 March, 2013 at 21:00 GMT on BBC Two.
08 Mar 2013
- From the section Magazine