during his halt after the march from the river Chalus.1 The
distance from the Baluk Su, following for a time the Chalus
and the plain of Aleppo, the easiest route for an army is,
including the upper part of Dhahab, between 70 and 80 miles,
which might,2 and probably did, require part of the 5th day.
Twenty-four miles E.S.E. of the ruins just mentioned,
amidst chalk hills and dry valleys, are the mosques, Ziarats,
and other ruins of Balis, which extend for a distance of more
than two miles, parallel to, and about half a mile from, the
bend made at this place by the river Euphrates. The principal
buildings are two small castles, apparently of Roman
architecture, with a wall 12 feet thick; also the remains of a
ditch, some Saracenic arches, and a remarkably fine octagonal
tower of three stories,3 rising from a square base to the height
of 75 feet, and having an interior staircase. There are besides
some vestiges of the port or landing-place, at a spot
where, at one time, the river washed the northern side of the
Barbalissus of the Peutingerian tables; the Balis and port of
the Syrians ;4 and probably the Baalitz or P’thora of Baalim ;5
which is 53 miles from Aleppo, and the same distance from
Kinnisrin.
About 36 miles below Balis, following the course of the
river, are the ruins of Sura,6 and about six miles lower is the
ford of A1 Hammam, by which at the low season the river
Euphrates may be crossed, but with some difficulty, the water
being up to the breast. Traces of a road leading towards Sura,
and on each side of the river the remains of a stone embankment,
suited for a floating bridge, mark the site of the Turmeda of the
Syrians, according to Stephanus, the Tiphsah of the Hebrews,7
1 Anabasis, lib. I.
s It would be necessary either to pass the Koweik several times, or lengthen
the march considerably, by following its windings.
8 See Plate No. I. 4 Abu-1-fedd, MS. translation, by M. Rassam.
6 Benjamin of Tudela, translated by A. Asher, vol. I., pp. 88, 89. London,
1840.
6 Mentioned as a town of Palmyrene, Plin., lib. V., chap. XXVI., and
according to the tables, 102 miles from the capital.
i 1 Kings, chap. iv., v. 24, and 2 Kings, chap. xv., v. 16; Jos. Ant.
IX , chap. XI.
and the Zeugma of Thapsacus,1 since called Amphipolis.2
According to local tradition, the army of Alexander crossed
at this place; and the Arab designation, Hadjar Ressass (stone
and lead), sufficiently indicates the nature of the work. Moreover
the distance, about 64 miles, to that part of the river
Dhahab, which is on the direct route towards Be'ilan, nearly
agrees with the three days- pressing march o f. Cyrus’ army
from the palace of Belesis to Thapsacus.3
Twenty-six miles short of the eastern limits of the pashalik,
which are at the town of Deir,4 and on the slope of a hill
rising abruptly from the right bank of the river, is Halebi or
Zelebi. This striking place is fortified with walls and towers
which, as well as the public and private buildings, are constructed
of fine gypsum. The town has the form of an acute
triangle, whose base rests upon the river, whilst its sides
ascend the steep acclivity of a conica.1 hill, and terminate
on its summit with a small acropolis. As the whole is completely
seen from the exterior, the necessity of an increased
number of flanking towers becomes very apparent: twelve of
these works defend the southern side, and eight the northern
or shorter side; whilst on that of the river, which is not
commanded, they are farther apart. In the town are the
remains of a temple, and an extensive palace containing many
ornamented apartments; also numerous well-constructed private
dwellings, supported by arches; and in general the buildings
are so well preserved that the mind can scarcely be
brought to feel that all have so long been unoccupied.
The city of Zenobia was probably built by the queen of
that name, and resorted to by her at certain seasons, in order
that she might enjoy the refreshing breezes which are felt
along the valley of the Euphrates. It also appears to have
been the principal passage leading from Palmyra into Assyria;
for, a little below the walls, and opposite the ruined castles of
Halebi on the left side, are the remains of an embankment,
partly arched with bricks 15 or 16 inches square, but chiefly
of solid stone.
1 Strabo, XVI., p. 146.
8 Anabasis, lib. I.
VOL. I.
! Plinj', lib. V., c. xxiv.
* See above, p. 49
2 E