Ancient Syria provided a link to Turkey and other cultures from the land of Canaan. Syria is located to the immediate north of Israel.
The country has acted as a buffer between Canaan and Turkey over its ancient history. Syria's borders stop where the Amanus Mountains, rising up to 7,000 feet, begin in the northern limits of the country. The ancient Cilician gates provided an important pass through these mountains to the Cilician plain, which provided access to the Anatolian Plateau.
Many important ancient cities were located in
Syria, or nearby its borders. Carchemish, which rested on the Euphrates River, was a strong city-state in antiquity. In 609 BC the Assyrians moved their capital from nearby Haran to Carchemish. Egypt, allies with Assyria, marched to Carchemish to help Assyria retake Haran. It was this march by Egypt which was interrupted near Megiddo by Josiah, King of Judah. Josiah was killed in battle by the Egyptians, who continued their march to Carchemish to join their Assyrian allies. From Carchemish, Egypt and Assyria gathered to battle the Babylonians and their allies in Haran. History labeled this as The Battle of Carchemish.
Haran was strongly tied with
Abraham
and connected Syria with Assyria & Mesopotamia to the east. Haran
and Carchemish dominated the steppe land named Al-Jazirah. This land
near the Balikh River was known as
Aram-Naharaim - a name which
appears in the Old Testament five times. Hamath, Ebla, and Aleppo were
also important cities, as they all rested in valleys along the
International Coastal Highway.
Damascus was especially active against Israel, and appeared in many
conflicts and battles throughout the Old Testament. Syria was an
integral link to outer influences in ancient
Palestine. Ancient kingdoms in Damascus and Carchemish, mentioned above, carried a
significant influence and attracted trade from other civilizations.
Syria was also home to important caravan cities and vital caravan links that stretched across the great desert of southern Syria. Tadmor was one of the ancient world's most important caravan cities and connected Mari in the east with Damascus in the west.
This caravan route stretched across the entire desert, and was made possible only by the vital city of Tadmor. South of this route travel was nearly impossible. Damascus was another very important caravan city. Damascus was an oasis city, formed by the Barada River, and was located east of the Anti-Lebanon Mountain range.
POST YOUR COMMENTS ON SYRIA & PALESTINE.Have you visited Syria? Do you live in Syria? What about the land of Palestine? Click on the above link to give us your insights, thoughts, comments, and questions!
Back to Ancient Syria
Back to History of Palestine
Back to Home Page
Sep 17, 20 10:57 AM
The Amarna Letters are documents written to Egyptian Pharoahs from vassal Kings in the land of Canaan. These letters clearly indicate Habiru presence in both Canaan and Egypt.
Sep 15, 20 04:59 PM
The life of Adam and Eve revolved around daily existence in Paradise. However, it would soon come to an end, and the consequences would reach to further generations.
Sep 11, 20 11:11 AM
Abraham and Sarah entered Canaan without any idea about the land, the people, the religions, or the cultures which dominated Canaan. All they had was each other, and their faith in God Almighty.
SAMUEL the SEER
Now Available in Print & eBook on Amazon!!
Learn more about these popular topics below. The Bible is full of fascinating stories, characters and mysteries!
Explore the land of the Old Testament! View these maps of the Bible.