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.

QUBUR

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CIOWES & SONS, STAMFORD STREET,

AND CHARING CROSS.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

CHAPTER X.

JOURNEY ALONG THE BORDERS OF THE DESERT TO THE

Objects of the tour

-

Singular mirage

Scenery of the desert-

Deserted town of Burak

border warfare

-

-

The valley of the 'Awaj,

A night march and adventure

Remarkable stone houses- Exciting tale of

Wild scenery of the Lejah, Trachonitis

- Druze hospitality — Ancient houses and inscrip-

A Druze chief

The province of Batanæa identified Stone doors

- Druze horsemanship- Visit to Shuka, the ancient Saccaa - Interest-

Wady Liwa Visit to Shuhba Causes of the Druze war

Ruins of theatre, temples, &c.

and tyranny of Turkish rulers

Extinct crater Identification of site- - Princes of Shehab - Terraced

hills Mourning for the slain in battle -

Suleim identified with Neapolis - Beautiful mountain scenery - Visit to

Kunawât, KENATH - Splendid ruins A Druze schoolmaster -

Character of the Bedawîn Description of Kunawât

-

Greek inscriptions and dates- Sheikh Wâked el-Hamdân, the Druze

chief- An evening party - History of Suweideh- Plain of Auranitis —

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

map - The Kings of Ghussân - Approach to BOZRAH Ancient cities

Rhose of the Peutinger Tables identified Plan and description of the

ruins of Bozrah Site of Beth-gamul

Beautiful theatre

-

the Monk and Mohammed the Prophet

-

Boheira

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

ancient gigantic inhabitants - The Bostrian era

-

159-169

CHAPTER XIII.

BUSRAH TO SULKHAD, KUREIYEH, HEBRAN, AND SUWEIDEH.

Adventure with Bedawîn Approach to Sulkhad by Roman road

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

Remote antiquity of its houses Literal fulfilment of

Inaccuracy and corrections of Burck-

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE

RAN The cities of Argob and Bashan Ancient sites

-

CHAPTER XIV.

p. 170-205

JEBEL HAU-

205-210

SUWEIDEH TO NEJRAN, EDHR'A (Edrei), and damascus.

Roman road-The plain of Bashan - The borders of the Lejah, Trachonitis

-Situation of Nejrân, and description of its ruins — Kerâtah, the ancient

Coreathes Ride along the side of the Lejah Busr el-Hariry

Approach to Edrei — Description of its position and ruins - Iden-

tification and history -Fearful conflict with its inhabitants Rescue

Threats and plans of escape Midnight flight - Bivouac in a defile

of the Lejah

-

Wild scenery

TOPOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE LEJAH-

boundaries - Identified with Trachonitis and ARGOB

-

Page 211-240

Its extent and

Great numbers

-

of deserted towns

The pain of Bashan - Arrival at Deir 'Aly ·

The Haj road

Ruins of Musmeih, the ancient Phænos 240-245

The valley of the Pharpar ·

245-249

.

-

CHAPTER XV.

BOUNDARIES AND PROVINCES OF BASHAN.

The kingdoms of Sihon and Og The boundary of Gilead and Bashan iden-

AURANITIS-The same as the HAURAN - Extent and boundaries.

BATANEA Distinct from BASHAN

-

-

259

263

The "mountains and oaks of Bashan" Where situated

ARGOB Situated in Bashan

TOUR IN LEBANON, INCLUDING A VISIT TO THE CEDARS AND BA'ALBEK.

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

- The great natural bridge - The temple of Venus

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

Its sources visited -

-

-

-