OCT 7 — With the recent destruction of the Arch of Triumph in the ancient city of Palmyra there stands yet another casualty of the unrelenting juggernaut that is ISIS.

As an ancient historian myself, it’s hard for me to put into words the odd mixture of emotions I feel at the news of yet another monument falling. Most easily, I suppose, it can be summed up as sadness; a deep and despairing sadness.

Within the litany of atrocities committed in the name of the Islamic State this, you could argue, is down the lower end of the spectrum. No people were hurt, no lives lost, it didn’t make a hard hitting and traumatizing YouTube video for the voyeuristic to fawn over.

In fact, ISIS didn’t even bother publicising it which, for an organization that thrives on social media, shows just how little understanding they have of the destruction they cause.

What stands out as different in this affront to the ancient city is that the Arch was of no religious significance. While ISIS have maintained their stance of destroying idols, hence the felling of numerous temples and destruction of religious artefacts, this is an act removed from religious piety and consideration.

This is an act of pure, thoughtless vandalism.

The Arch of Triumph was erected to commemorate a Roman victory in battle; this one in particular in defeat of the Persians in the second century AD. It not only held ancient inscriptions but a glimpse into a past world that is now forever erased.

The robbing of a nation’s history and identity is an act that will be echo through time and my heart goes out to the Syrian people who proudly celebrate such a rich and diverse past.

On a personal level, the childish wonder of discovering such significant locations, learning of the great people who raised them and feeling the awe at the beauty and skill displayed all those years ago is something I won’t forget. It saddens me greatly that others have now been deprived of such experiences. 

Some may question how I can argue the loss of a structure so passionately when human lives are being lost at alarming rates and freedoms are being widely desecrated. 

I agree; nothing can take away from the monstrosity of human destruction being caused by this group. But, I argue that human life is transient and it is for that very reason that we need these monuments that stand tall and proud.

That tell future generations of those who once stood within them and forever hold the legacies of those who fell to protect them.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.