FIVE YEARS IN DAMASCUS:

INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT

OF THE

HISTORY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND ANTIQUITIES
OF THAT CITY.

WITH

TRAVELS AND RESEARCHES IN PALMYRA, LEBANON,
AND THE HAURAN.

BY REV. J. L. PORTER, A.M., F.R.S.L.

border warfare

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1

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A battle Turkish

The valley of the 'Awaj,

A night march and adventure

Remarkable stone houses-

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Exciting tale of

Wild scenery of the Lejah, Trachonitis Moonlight

Ruined and deserted towns Roman road

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- Jebel Haurân

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Kingdom of BASHAN Druze hospitality Ancient houses and inscrip-

- A Druze chief A banquet Illustrations of

tions in Hiyât

Scripture

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Page 1-45

CHAPTER XI.

– Druze horsemanship- Visit to Shuka, the ancient Saccæa

ing ruins

- Ancient churches Errors in map of Berghaus

of Săfă- Wady Liwa Visit to Shuhba Causes of the Druze war

and tyranny of Turkish rulers Ruins of theatre, temples, &c.

Extinct crater - Identification of site

hills Mourning for the slain in battle

Suleim identified with Neapolis - Beautiful

Kunawât, KENATH Splendid ruins

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mountain scenery - Visit to

A Druze schoolmaster ·

Historical

p. 46-115

Description of Kunawât-

Date of principal buildings

a 2

Primitive telescope - Tower-tombs

Singular monument

Greek inscriptions and dates -

chief

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Description of Suweideh and its extensive

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Sheikh Wâked el-Hamdân, the Druze

Plain of Auranitis ·

An evening party - History of Suweideh -

Tell Kuleib Visit to 'Ary- Druze hospitality Errors in Burckhardt's

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map The Kings of Ghussân

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Approach to Bozrah ·

Rhose of the Peutinger Tables identified

ruins of Bozrah

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Site of Beth-gamul

the Monk and Mohammed the Prophet

HISTORY OF BOZRAH The Bozrah of Moab distinct from that of Edom-The

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ancient gigantic inhabitants The Bostrian era

159-169

CHAPTER XIII.

BUSRAH TO SULKHAD, KUREIYEH, HEBRAN, AND SUWEIDEH.

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Adventure with Bedawîn Approach to Sulkhad by Roman road - De-

scription of Sulkhad, the ancient SALCAH -The castle - Probable age

of the building - Topography of the "Hills of Bashan" -Great numbers

of deserted towns Ancient vineyards — Identification and history of

Salcah · Extensive ruins of Kureiyeh - Identified with the ancient

KERIOTH

Remote antiquity of its houses · Literal fulfilment of

prophecy Ruins of Hebrân Inaccuracy and corrections of Burck-

SUWEIDEH TO NEJRAN, EDHR'A (EDREI), AND DAMASCUS.

The plain of Bashan - The borders of the Lejah, Trachonitis –

Kerâtah, the ancient

- Situation of Nejrân, and description of its ruins

Coreathes

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- Ride along the side of the Lejah — Busr el-Hariry · Fanati-

cism and insolence of its inhabitants

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Iden-

- Rescue

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- Approach to Edrei — Description of its position and ruins

tification and history -Fearful conflict with its inhabitants

Threats and plans of escape

Wild scenery of the Lejah

Page 211-240

TOPOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE LEJAH — Its extent and

boundaries Identified with Trachonitis and ARGOB Great numbers

of deserted towns Ruins of Musmeih, the ancient Phanos 240-245

Midnight flight - Bivouac in a defile -

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- Arrival at Deir 'Aly - The valley of the Pharpar -

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245-249

CHAPTER XV.

Not included in Bashan Its ancient name and history -

Its

modern name and position

272

CHAPTER XVI.

TOUR IN LEBANON, INCLUDING A VISIT TO THE CEDARS AND BAʼALBEK.

Ride from Bludân to Zahleh - Character of the Christians of Zahleh Route

over Lebanon Wild scenery and singular caverns of Wady Tarshîsh

The residence of the mountain princes ·Beyrout The ancient roads

and sculptures of the Nahr el-Kelb The valley of the Nahr el-Kelb

Its sources visited The great natural bridge The temple of Venus

at Apheca Source of the river Adonis — Adventure with the Metâwely

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