320 km south-east of Aleppo, Deir al-Zor is the most important urban center in the east of Syria. Its river is the Euphrates, lifeline of the region and fount of civiliation throughout the ages. With the formation of Lake al-Assad, it is now possible to regulate its once capricious flow and to make plans for new harvests.
85 km south of Deir al-Zor, on the western bank of the Euphrates, is the archacological site of the birthplace of Selcueus, near the Arab village of Salihiyeh. This was the historic town built by Seleucus Nicator, Alexander's lieutenant, the fortified twon of Doura Europos. This town was closely linked with Palmyra, serving as an important forward-line of defense against the Persians.

The site did not attract significant attention until 1921 when some mural paintings were discovered in a temple (there were sixteen temples dedicated to the various gods of palmyra, at present in the national Museum at Damascus). Many other discoveries followed, notably frescoes dating from 235 A.D., which were in a remarkable state of preservation. They too, were transported to the Damascus Museum in 1936. Doura Europos, however, is still a place of interest for visitors.