Guide to Palestine and Egypt (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt: ...road, which constantly runs up and down short hills corresponding to the undulations of the plain, and many miles before we reach Baalbek its marvellous mass of ruins rises clearly and distinctly before us. In the transparent atmosphere we seem to be constantly within close proximity to it, only to find that we are still several miles away. At length we see a solitary monument supported by columns on the plain to our left, and, alighting from our carriage, we proceed more closely to examine it. It is called Kubbet Dtiris, or "the Shrine of Duris," from the village which lies nearest to it. Its origin and age are uncertain, but it appears to be some Moslem shrine constructed out of some large stones and columns which lie scattered about in such abundant profusion amongst the ruined remains of Baalbek. It will be noticed that an ancient stone sarcophagus has been unearthed, and set up on one end facing towards Mecca, so as to serve the purpose of a Mihrab, or prayer-niche. A few years ago it was overthrown in a storm, and now lies prostrate by the side of the shrine. We re-enter our carriages, and another J-hour's drive brings us to the ruins and village of BAALBEK. Hotels.--See " Hotel List." From time immemorial, as it would appear, this place has been the centre of very fervid religious devotion and worship. Some authorities, indeed, are of opinion that among the ruins of Baalbek are the remains of the Oldest Sacred Temple in the world (see below). The word ' Baalbek " is evidently of Phoenician origin, and is really a contraction of Baal-Beka'a, the final guttural syllable having been lost in the passage of the word through the Greek, which has no guttural expression in it corresponding to the Semitic A in. We have frequent exampl...