A Short History of Syria

The country of Syria is often called the Cradle of Civilization as it is home to the Euphrates River where civilization essentially began. It is also called the Gateway to History as the country has been a battleground for a lot of wars and conquerors and has seen many firsts in the history of mankind.

Damascus, which was settled about 2500 B.C., is one of the oldest cities inhabited by people in the whole world. It became the capital of the Omayyad Empire from 661 A.D. to 750 A.D. which stretches from Spain to India. Early settlements in the region and in other parts of the country were proven by the early practice of agriculture and trade among people in Syria as well as between them and different tribes and empires outside the country.

In 3000 B.C., the Ebla and Mari kingdoms inhabited the country. In their time was the invention of writing which was called the Cuneiform writing. The Hittites and the Egyptians fought against each other for Syria in 1600 B.C. and the Hittites won and took over the land. In 800 B.C. the Assyrian Empire rose and took over Syria and Lebanon. After 300 years the Persians took over the land, including the whole Middle East, and they eventually fell into the hands of the Greeks in 333 B.C. After hundreds of years the Roman Empire took over and spread of Christianity began.

It was just in the early 17th century that other religions and ethnic groups came into the land of Syria which opened its doors to new people which now forms the diverse culture of Syria.