in Philippopolis, Shahba today contains well-preserved ruins of the ancient Roman city. A museum located in the city exhibits some beautiful examples of Roman mosaics. The especially rich iconography of the figurative mosaic on the theme, The Glory of the Earth, discovered in 1952 in the so-called "Maison Aoua", is conserved today in the museum of Damascus and has proved a rich resource for iconographers. The relatively well-preserved Roman bridge at Nimreh is located in the vicinity. Modern era In the 18th century Druze populations moved into the area. A Christian presence exists in the city to the present. Climate Shahba has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). See also List of Catholic dioceses in Syria Druze in Syria Christianity in Syria References Bibliography Eubel, Konrad Hierarchia Catholica Medii Aevi, vol. 2, p. 215; vol. 3, p. 273; vol. 4, p. 280; vol. 5, p. 314; vol. 6, p. 337 Gams, Pius Bonifacius, 1931, Series episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicae, Leipzig, p. 435 Lequien, Michel, 1740, Oriens christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus, Paris, vol. II, coll. 861-862 External links GCatholic - (former &) titular bishopric Map of the town, Google Maps Cities in Syria Populated places in Shahba District Archaeological sites in as-Suwayda Governorate Roman towns and cities in Syria Roman sites in Syria Druze communities in Syria