Damascus

Chief city of Syria, in a fertile plain e. of the Anti-Libanus, watered by 7 canals drawn from the River Barada. It is of remote antiquity, one of the oldest of cities, see Gen. xiv. 15. It was held by one after another of the great Oriental empires, was taken by the Romans 65 B.C., by the Saracens 634, and by the Turks 1516. It was the scene of St. Damascus-View taken from the Christian Quarter. Paul's conversion. D. blades (swords) were formerly made here. D. was famous as early as the 12th century for its figured silks; hence damask as applied to fabrics of silk, linen, etc. The Damson plum is also named from D. It has a large trade and extensive manufactures. Pop. ab. 200,000, le than one-tenth Christian. Damask, Linen or silk fabric with ornamental patterns of flowers and animals woven in the looms. It was beautifully imitated by the Dutch and Flemings, and introduced into England by the fugitives from Alva's persecutions 1573.