The principal buildings are situated on the right or east bank of the ravine. They consist of a Byzantine fortress, theatre, forum, triumphal arch, a large temple, and innumerable other buildings too much ruined to admit of absolute identification.
The first of these was originally of Roman construction. The regular and careful masonry of that people can be recognised in some few places. A posterior restoration by the Byzantines can also be easily identified, as they invariably employed the cut stones of the former buildings, without much regard to perfect adaptation, using also tombstones, and any other material that came most easily to hand. The third restoration is of a very inferior character, the stones being small, irregular, and very loosely put together. The general plan of the enclosure and a great part of the walls are still entire. It is a large quadrangle, about 120 yards by 98, flanked on each side by salient towers three in number. That on the eastern side is not in the middle, and is much more salient than those at the angles. In the part of this tower facing the interior may be seen the remains of a circular brick dome, the crown of which has disappeared, and in its place there is a rude attempt to complete it by means of loosely piled stones. Some remnants of columns are seen in the interior court belonging to a small building, perhaps a church. With the exception of this fortress the city does not appear to have been fortified; no traces of circumvallation can be observed.
The theatre was cut in the abrupt northern flank of a hill, the opposite side of which gradually slopes towards the south. This monument was of considerable dimensions, and as the materials employed were not of a costly nature, we are led to suppose that it was intended for the accommodation of a large population. Nevertheless the building was executed in a substantial manner, the walls being generally of solid rubble masonry faced with cut stones of considerable dimensions. In the interior, where the masonry may have been covered with cement or other material, the angles were made sharp by brickwork. Although the columns found on the spot are all in stone of an inferior description, they are numerous; on the stage may be counted the remains of fourteen.
The building which, with great probability, has been styled the forum, consists of a long colonnade running parallel to an extensive and beautiful valley, bounded by picturesque hills, the general direction of which is from E. to W. Walking under the shade of this colonnade, the inhabitants must have enjoyed one of the most charming views which it is possible to imagine. The back part was formed of a continuous wall, against which were constructed ranges of small buildings, which were probably shops, separated here and there by openings giving access to the body of the forum. Towards the S. extremity of the colonnade, which was of great length, another range of columns runs at right angles to it, and probably formed a second side to the forum; further south are to be seen, still erect, several columns belonging to a building advancing into the valley. Other buildings, particularly on the northern side and touching the colonnade, are highly interesting.
Great numbers of inscriptions lie scattered about in this neighbourhood, commemorative of historical events: such as the Parthian War; of Roman Emperors and of distinguished soldiers and citizens, with which the forum seems to have been filled; many of these are broken and mutilated, but some are in a perfect state of preservation.
Amongst others there are two fine pedestals of white marble of octagonal shape, bearing identical inscriptions; one is broken, but the other is quite entire and measures five feet in height, each face being from twelve to twenty inches wide. This inscription is the one mentioned by Bruce as that of Marcellianus; it runs as follows:—
VICTORIAE
PARTHICAE
AVG. SACR.
EX . TESTAMENTO