HatraΩ
An ancient Mespotamian caravan city approximately 180 miles northwest of Baghdad, Iraq. Occupying a liminal space between the Roman and Persian empires, Hatra was abandoned after being ransacked in the 3rd century - its stunning ruins were discovered by nomadic herders in the mid-1800's. Hatra was featured as the opening location in The Exorcist, leading directly to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Subsequently, the area underwent a recklessly costly restoration at the hands of Saddam Hussein- he demanded each brick be monogrammed with his name (a practice in purposeful emulation of Nebuchadnezzar). Having since taken control of the area, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (AKA Daesh) plans to raze the Ruins of Hatra, claiming its artifacts encourage polytheism. Robust income via "horror-porn" tourism has thus far prevented the group from actionalizing their threat. Hatra is known in Muslim and Judeo-Christian texts as the origin place of Pazuzu, The Exorcist's central antagonist.
- href#[redacted] :: Another Day in My Hatra.