This is Palmyra, located deep in the eastern desert of Syria.

It was a main stop along the caravan route that brought goods from the Orient to the Roman world, and protected the Empire from invasion by the Persians. In 273, however, Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, challenged Rome for control over the eastern part of the Roman Empire, and Palmyra was utterly destroyed.

Palmyra - Here are a really nice series of photos to show you a little more of this awesome place.