The Ester Gate

When the Roman General Pompey annexed Syria, the Romans entirely redesigned Damascus as a Roman city. Still today, “Old Town” Damascus retains its rectangular Roman design and seven extant ancient gates. The name “Ester Gate” predates the Romans, so it Read More …

Sir Henry Rawlinson

Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, April 5, 1810–March 5, 1895; was a pioneer in Mesopotamian archaeology. He was the first to decipher the Assyrian language, now properly known as Akkadian, and was instrumental in deciphering the Behistun inscription, commissioned by Read More …