* to Damascus.
19:15 20:34 Ge 14:15 Ac 9:2
* in Damascus.
Damascus, called also Damesk, but generally El Sham, by the
Arabs, is situated in a delightful plain, well watered by the
Barrada, at the eastern foot of Antilibanus, being surrounded
by the hills in the form of a triumphal arch, 136; miles N. of
Jerusalem, 195; S. of Antioch, and 276; S. S. W. of Diarbekir.
It is a city of the highest antiquity, being at least as
ancient as the time of Abraham: it has been often captured,
and several times demolished, but has always risen to
splendour and dignity. The modern town is described by
Maundrell as of a long, straight figure, it ends pointing
nearly N. E. and S. W. It is very slender in the middle, but
swells bigger at each end, especially at that to the N. E.
According to Niebuhr, the walls are something less than a
league and half in circumference; and the population is
estimated at from 100,000; to 150,000
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