Ancient Damascus was marked by the reign of some of the chief dynasties of the world over the city.
Ancient Damascus saw the rise and fall of several dynasties including the Aramaens, the Greeks and the Romans. Damascus has earned the reputation of being the oldest city that has remained inhabited throughout the ages of human history.
Damascus during the Amorite Period
The earliest recorded history of Damascus goes back to 2BC and this period was known as the Amorite period. Damascus served as the capital city of the principality of Aramae. Damascus gradually acquired a place of prominence in the kingdom of the Aramaens. Damascus became the seat of a flourishing population. This was facilitated by the fact that the favorable climate and the fertile soil of Damascus proved to apt for the growth of the civilization.
The kingdom was faced with an impending threat of conquests with the powerful Assyrians trying to exert their influence over Damascus. They finally succeeded in establishing their reign over Damascus in 841 BC led by King Hadad Niari III.
Following the rule of Damascus by the Aramaens, the reign of the kingdom passed on into the hands of the Assyrians. They were followed by the Chaldaeans or the New Babylonians. Damascus came under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar in the year 572 BC. In the subsequent year that is in 538 BC Damascus was brought under Persian control and made the capital of the Syrian territory that was under Persian occupation.
Damascus under Greek Rule
The next important stage in the ancient history of Damascus arrived with the coming of the Greeks under Alexander the Great in 333 BC.
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This was the beginning of the western rule in Damascus.However, after Alexander' death and the disintegration of the Macedonian Empire, Damascus was in the midst of a growing political turmoil.The Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires were involved in a tussle to establish their supremacy over Damascus.
The country developed considerably under Seleucus who succeeded Alexander. Under him Syria gained a position of prominence in the Empire that ranged from Afghanistan and Iran to Asia Minor. Though the capital of this empire was Antioch, Damascus continued to remain the center of all political and economic affairs. After the decline of the Seleucid Kingdom, Damascus passed onto the hands of the Nabateans.
Damascus under the Roman Empire
The Roman rule over Damascus began with Pompey's conquest of Damascus in 64 BC. The rule of Damascus completely passed on into the hands of the Roman authorities, though other regions managed to retain their sovereignty. The growth of the Roman Empire contributed to the development of the city as well. One of the chief reasons behind this development was a stable political scenario. It also flourished economically because of its location at the juncture of the east-west trade route.
Christianity was introduced in the state during the Roman rule. St Paul came to Damascus in 34 AD. Christianity soon flourished in the state. The Roman Empire collapsed in 395 AD. Following this Syria was incorporated into the Byzantine Empire. The city was secured with fortifications to ensure its safety against the Persians. However, the incessant attacks from their eastern enemies forced them to entrust the defenses of Damascus to the Ghassanids.
The ancient history of Damascus records the rule of various empires over the Syrian capital.
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