Damascus, Syria
 Damascus,
the capital of Syria, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the
world. It has occupied a position of importance in the fields of science,
culture, politics, art commerce, and industry from the earliest times.
It has been called Al-Fayha'a (the fragrant city), Al-Sham, Jollaq, and
Pearl of Orient as Emperor Julian named it. It was mentioned in the Holy
Qur'an as the many-columns city of Aram, "...whose like has never
been built in the land...".
Early references to Damascus such as those in Ebla tablets,
confirm that it was as a city of immense economic influence during 3rd
millennium BC.
Ancient Pharaonic scripts refers to it as Dameska. It
enjoyed great prominence during 2nd millennium BC as center of an Aramaic
kingdom under the name of Dar-Misiq (the irrigated house). The Aramites
were the original inhabitants of Damascus, and their language was Syriac.
Many villages around Damascus are still known by their Aramaic names.
Damascus fell under the domination of Greeks, Romans,
and Byzantines. They all left their mark on Damascus as visitors can still
readily observe today. In the Roman era, Damascus was first among ten
most prominent cities (The Decapolis). It received many privileges, especially
during the reign of Syrian dynasty of Roman emperors. It was from Damascus
that most talented architect of Roman Empire came. This was Apolodor the
Damascene, who designed the celebrated Trajan Column in Rome, and the
great bridge on the River Danube.
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