- DAMARIS a heifer, an Athenian woman converted to Christianity under
the preaching of Paul (Acts 17:34). Some have supposed that she may
have been the wife of Dionysius the Areopagite. - DAMASCUS activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of
Syria (Isaiah 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 (Genesis 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 Samuel 8:5; 1 Chronicles 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. Isaiah 7:8). In this, prophecy was
fulfilled (Isaiah 17:1; Amos 1:4; Jeremiah 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 (Galatians 1:16, 17). Christianity was planted here as a centre
(Acts 9:20), from which it spread to the surrounding regions.