Damascus
    n 1: an ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and
         present capital and largest city of Syria; according to the
         New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul)
         underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus
         [syn: Dimash, Damascus, capital of Syria]

Damascus \Damascus\ prop. n. (Geography)
   The capital city of Syria. Population (2000) = 1,549,932.
   [PJC]

   Damascus blade, a sword or scimiter, made chiefly at
      Damascus, having a variegated appearance of watering, and
      proverbial for excellence.

   Damascus iron, or Damascus twist, metal formed of thin
      bars or wires of iron and steel elaborately twisted and
      welded together; used for making gun barrels, etc., of
      high quality, in which the surface, when polished and
      acted upon by acid, has a damask appearance.

   Damascus steel. See Damask steel, under Damask, a.
      [1913 Webster]

Damascus
   activity, the most ancient of Oriental cities; the capital of
   Syria (Isa. 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
   (Gen. 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
   Sam. 8:5; 1 Chr. 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. Isa. 7:8). In this,
   prophecy was fulfilled (Isa. 17:1; Amos 1:4; Jer. 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
   (Gal. 1:16, 17). Christianity was planted here as a centre (Acts
   9:20), from which it spread to the surrounding regions.
   
     In A.D. 634 Damascus was conquered by the growing Mohammedan
   power. In A.D. 1516 it fell under the dominion of the Turks, its
   present rulers. It is now the largest city in Asiatic Turkey.
   Christianity has again found a firm footing within its walls.
   

Damascus, a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning

Damascus, AR -- U.S. town in Arkansas
   Population (2000):    306
   Housing Units (2000): 157
   Land area (2000):     1.932488 sq. miles (5.005122 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    1.932488 sq. miles (5.005122 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            17290
   Located within:       Arkansas (AR), FIPS 05
   Location:             35.366849 N, 92.410276 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):    
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Damascus, AR
    Damascus

Damascus, GA -- U.S. town in Georgia
   Population (2000):    277
   Housing Units (2000): 115
   Land area (2000):     1.757247 sq. miles (4.551249 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.008337 sq. miles (0.021594 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    1.765584 sq. miles (4.572843 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            21436
   Located within:       Georgia (GA), FIPS 13
   Location:             31.298580 N, 84.717429 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     31741
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Damascus, GA
    Damascus

Damascus, MD -- U.S. Census Designated Place in Maryland
   Population (2000):    11430
   Housing Units (2000): 3773
   Land area (2000):     9.624894 sq. miles (24.928359 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    9.624894 sq. miles (24.928359 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            21475
   Located within:       Maryland (MD), FIPS 24
   Location:             39.271040 N, 77.206098 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     20872
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Damascus, MD
    Damascus

Damascus, VA -- U.S. town in Virginia
   Population (2000):    981
   Housing Units (2000): 543
   Land area (2000):     0.847727 sq. miles (2.195602 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    0.847727 sq. miles (2.195602 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            21184
   Located within:       Virginia (VA), FIPS 51
   Location:             36.633933 N, 81.787034 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     24236
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Damascus, VA
    Damascus