Edessa

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Rhoa, Edessa, a City of Mesopotamia, mentioned by all the ancient Geographers; famous for the Story of King Abgarus: very great, and an Archbishops See, under the Patriarch of Antioch. It has had anciently many other Names; at this day it is the Capital of Diarbeck, (or Mesopotamia) under the Turk. It stands in the middle between Aleppo to the West, and Amida to the East. In the times of the Holy War it had Counts; but falling into the Hands of the Mahometans again, they have reduced it into the State in which it now is. Thus described by Mr. Thevenot, who saw it. This City is about two hours march in circuit; the Walls are fair; and pretty entire, and form a Square; within there is hardly any thing but Ruins to be seen, and yet it is very populous: on the South Side is a Castle upon an Hill, with large and deep Ditches, tho they are cut in the Rock: this Castle is of a large circumference; has little within it, but Ruins; and some pitiful old broken Guns. Long. 72 30 Lat. 37. 30. //Paris Meridian was used in the book