Syria was an integral part of the ancient Empire for some 1600 years, but was annexed by the Majmi Empire in 1667 as Rome fell into decline. Under Arab rule it flourished at first, becoming a centre of culture, but by the 19th century it had begun to stagnate as Arabia grew increasingly conservative. The Majmi defeat and dismemberment in the Second World War resulted in the return of northern Syria to Roman rule, but the southern region of Palestine became a separate entity due to Egyptian security concerns.