damascus
from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
Damascus
n 1: an ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and
present capital and largest city of Syria; according to the
New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul)
underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus
[syn: {Dimash}, {Damascus}, {capital of Syria}]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Damascus \Damascus\ prop. n. (Geography)
The capital city of Syria. Population (2000) = 1,549,932.
[PJC]
{Damascus blade}, a sword or scimiter, made chiefly at
Damascus, having a variegated appearance of watering, and
proverbial for excellence.
{Damascus iron}, or {Damascus twist}, metal formed of thin
bars or wires of iron and steel elaborately twisted and
welded together; used for making gun barrels, etc., of
high quality, in which the surface, when polished and
acted upon by acid, has a damask appearance.
{Damascus steel}. See {Damask steel}, under {Damask}, a.
[1913 Webster]
from
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Damascus
activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of
Syria (Isa. 7:8; 17:3); situated about 133 miles to the north of
Jerusalem. Its modern name is Esh-Sham; i.e., "the East."
The situation of this city is said to be the most beautiful of
all Western Asia. It is mentioned among the conquests of the
Egyptian king Thothmes III. (B.C. 1500), and in the Amarna
tablets (B.C. 1400).
It is first mentioned in Scripture in connection with
Abraham's victory over the confederate kings under Chedorlaomer
(Gen. 14:15). It was the native place of Abraham's steward
(15:2). It is not again noticed till the time of David, when
"the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer" (q.v.), 2
Sam. 8:5; 1 Chr. 18:5. In the reign of Solomon, Rezon became
leader of a band who revolted from Hadadezer (1 Kings 11:23),
and betaking themselves to Damascus, settled there and made
their leader king. There was a long war, with varying success,
between the Israelites and Syrians, who at a later period became
allies of Israel against Judah (2 Kings 15:37).
The Syrians were at length subdued by the Assyrians, the city
of Damascus was taken and destroyed, and the inhabitants carried
captive into Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9; comp. Isa. 7:8). In this,
prophecy was fulfilled (Isa. 17:1; Amos 1:4; Jer. 49:24). The
kingdom of Syria remained a province of Assyria till the capture
of Nineveh by the Medes (B.C. 625), when it fell under the
conquerors. After passing through various vicissitudes, Syria
was invaded by the Romans (B.C. 64), and Damascus became the
seat of the government of the province. In A.D. 37 Aretas, the
king of Arabia, became master of Damascus, having driven back
Herod Antipas.
This city is memorable as the scene of Saul's conversion (Acts
9:1-25). The street called "Straight," in which Judas lived, in
whose house Saul was found by Ananias, is known by the name
Sultany, or "Queen's Street." It is the principal street of the
city. Paul visited Damascus again on his return from Arabia
(Gal. 1:16, 17). Christianity was planted here as a centre (Acts
9:20), from which it spread to the surrounding regions.
In A.D. 634 Damascus was conquered by the growing Mohammedan
power. In A.D. 1516 it fell under the dominion of the Turks, its
present rulers. It is now the largest city in Asiatic Turkey.
Christianity has again found a firm footing within its walls.
from
U.S. Gazetteer (1990)
Damascus, AR (town, FIPS 17290)
Location: 35.36464 N, 92.40581 W
Population (1990): 246 (122 housing units)
Area: 3.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Damascus, GA (town, FIPS 21436)
Location: 31.29840 N, 84.71751 W
Population (1990): 290 (120 housing units)
Area: 4.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 31741
Damascus, MD (CDP, FIPS 21475)
Location: 39.27773 N, 77.20498 W
Population (1990): 9817 (3315 housing units)
Area: 24.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 20872
Damascus, PA
Zip code(s): 18415
Damascus, VA (town, FIPS 21184)
Location: 36.63278 N, 81.78935 W
Population (1990): 918 (485 housing units)
Area: 2.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 24236
from
U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000)
Damascus, AR -- U.S. town in Arkansas
Population (2000): 306
Housing Units (2000): 157
Land area (2000): 1.932488 sq. miles (5.005122 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 1.932488 sq. miles (5.005122 sq. km)
FIPS code: 17290
Located within: Arkansas (AR), FIPS 05
Location: 35.366849 N, 92.410276 W
ZIP Codes (1990):
Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
Headwords:
Damascus, AR
Damascus
from
U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000)
Damascus, GA -- U.S. town in Georgia
Population (2000): 277
Housing Units (2000): 115
Land area (2000): 1.757247 sq. miles (4.551249 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.008337 sq. miles (0.021594 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 1.765584 sq. miles (4.572843 sq. km)
FIPS code: 21436
Located within: Georgia (GA), FIPS 13
Location: 31.298580 N, 84.717429 W
ZIP Codes (1990): 31741
Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
Headwords:
Damascus, GA
Damascus
from
U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000)
Damascus, MD -- U.S. Census Designated Place in Maryland
Population (2000): 11430
Housing Units (2000): 3773
Land area (2000): 9.624894 sq. miles (24.928359 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 9.624894 sq. miles (24.928359 sq. km)
FIPS code: 21475
Located within: Maryland (MD), FIPS 24
Location: 39.271040 N, 77.206098 W
ZIP Codes (1990): 20872
Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
Headwords:
Damascus, MD
Damascus
from
U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000)
Damascus, VA -- U.S. town in Virginia
Population (2000): 981
Housing Units (2000): 543
Land area (2000): 0.847727 sq. miles (2.195602 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 0.847727 sq. miles (2.195602 sq. km)
FIPS code: 21184
Located within: Virginia (VA), FIPS 51
Location: 36.633933 N, 81.787034 W
ZIP Codes (1990): 24236
Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
Headwords:
Damascus, VA
Damascus
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