Syria

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of SYRIA in generall and the parte thereof. Syria hath on the East Euphrates, on the West the mediterranean Sea; on the South Palestine, on the North Sil•…cia, watered with Euphrates, which antiently passed through the garden of Eden; and having its sourse in the Mountaines of Armenia, running at this day by Euphrates. •…abylon or Bagdate, disgorgeth it selfe into the Persian Sea, and O•…tis which arising on Mount Libanus saluteth the walls of Silu•…, and disi•…bogeth in the mediterranean, and is divided into 3 Provinces, viz. Phenicia, Celosyria and Sirophaenicia, of which in order.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

Syria,

W. Mediterranean, S. Palestine and Arabia E. Euphrates, N. Cilicia, and the lesser Armenia; 525 miles long from Taurus to Arabia. 470 miles broad from the Mediterranean to Euphrates, the language Arabick, the religion Christian, Mahumetan, Pagan, or a mixture of all professed by the Drusians:

the prime Rivers,

1. Chorsaeus or Chison.
2. Orontes now Saldino.
3. Eleutherios now called Casmar.
4. Singos.
5. Euphrates:

the Mountains,

1. Carmel.
2. Piena.
3. Casius, four miles high.
4. Libanus, famous for Cedars, Frankincense and Honey falling on the boughs of the trees; 150 miles long from Sidon in Phaenicia, to Smyrna in Caelosyria, inhabited by Maronite Christians, that pay the Grand-Seignior 17 Sultanies a man when above 12 years of age.

In Phaenicia, a maritine part of Syria of great traffique, formerly was

1. the famous port Ptolemais razed to the ground, 1291.
2. And the ancient Mart of Tyre.
3. Sarepta or Sarphath on the Sea-coast, between Tyre and Sidon, and its good wines.
4. Sidon, in a rich valley between Libanus Northward, and Antilibanus Southward; the inhabitants whereof, the first makers of Chrystal Glass, Zech. 9.2. the matter thereof flowing thither from the adjoyning Rivers, with an haven for Gallies, and a Block-house.
5. Bunitus.
6. Biblis.
7. Orthosia lately Tortosa.
8. Tripolis, eminent for Amaza Franki, Kell-franhe, and other fruits, and two miles from the Sea, and half a mile from the haven on the west-side of it; rich in Gardens, Springs, and Silk-worms, whose Silks they sell raw to the Italians, and much increased by the trade of Scanderoon, and well fortified.

In Syria, properly so called, S. Phaenicia; rich in

• Fruits, especially Figs, hanging about the high ways.
• Sheep with great tails, weighing 25 pound and upwards; &
• great store of Cotton-wool:

is

1. Rugia.
2. Hicrapolis.
3. Barbarssus.
4. Chalcis.
5. Telnedissa.
6. Laodicea and its good wines.
7. Apamea.
8. Emesa or Hamse in a spacious and fruitful plain, and well watered.
9. Epiphania.
10. Laris.
11. Gebal, Ps. 83, now Gabella.
12. Aradus.
13. Daphne.
14. Antioch seated on both sides the River Orontis, twelve miles from the Mediterranean, the River Parsar passing on the South-side of it, now ruined.
15. Alburia.

In Comagena E. Euphrates and Mesopotamia, W. Amamus and Cilicia. N. Taurus and Armenia the less, a place famous for Divination, was

1. Samosata.
2. Germanica.
3. Singa.
4. Pinora.
5. Aleppo, the Aleph or first of Syria, on the bank of Singas, kept up, because commodiously scituated for the trade of the whole world between three ports of Tripolis, Berytus, and Alexandretta in Turkey, besides the Persian Territories, where the English Merchants have three houses for stowage, and a coul; the building low, and arched before their doors, and the scite pleasant among Gardens, and secure rather than strong.
6. Aman between Tripoli and Aleppo, pleasantly seated on two Hills, and environed with Orchards of Palme trees, and very good fruits.
7. Byrrah and those places, Esr. 37.13. 2 Kings. 18.34.

In Palmyrene, N. Comagena wholesome for hot Springs, but not well Rivered, is

1. Palmyra, see 1 Chron. 8.4.
2. Sura.
3. Alamath.

In Caelosyria the Syria so much spoken of in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, is,

1. Heliopolis, now Balbec.
2. Chalcis, west of Damascus in the shades of Libanus.
3. Abila.
4. Adida.
5. Capitolias, now Suente.
6. Damascus scituate in a large plain, environed with hills, and watered with the River Chrysorrous, watering the Orchards and Gardens, whence we have excellent wines; the luscious Damascenes, the sweet Damask Roses, and the curious Damask works.