Around the world, there are numerous cities that have been witnesses to the evolution of human civilization. Modern civilization has developed from these ancient cities. The Telegraph published a list of 20 such ancient cities in the world. The information of 10 ancient cities is highlighted from this list. The list of ancient cities includes Sidon, Plovdiv, Beirut, Tyre, Larnaca, Cadiz, Varanasi, Athens, Shush, and Damascus. (Source: The Telegraph)/
Sidon, Lebanon
The city of Sidon is located about 25 miles south of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. It is one of the most important and possibly the oldest cities of the Phoenician civilization in the world. The Mediterranean empire of the Phoenicians developed from this city. Both Jesus Christ and Saint Paul are said to have visited the city of Sidon. Alexander the Great captured the city in 333 BC.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It was a major city of the Roman Empire. Before this, Plovdiv was mainly inhabited by Thracians. After the Romans, the city was occupied by the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Later the city became part of Bulgaria. Today the city is a major cultural center. There are many ancient monuments, including a Roman amphitheater, an artificial lake, and Ottoman baths.
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut is the capital of Lebanon. At the same time, the city is the center of the cultural, administrative, and economic activities of the country. The history of Beirut is about five thousand years old. Excavations in various parts of the city have revealed artifacts from the Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Arab, and Ottoman periods. The city was mentioned in a letter written to the pharaoh of Egypt in the early 14th century BC.
The city becomes attractive to modern tourists. After the Lebanese civil war ended, Beirut developed into a growing city.
Tyre, Lebanon
Another historic city in Lebanon is Tyre. According to Herodotus, the city of Tyre was founded in 2750 BC, the birthplace of the legendary Europa and Dido of Greek mythology. After a seven-month siege, the city was captured by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. It became part of the Roman Empire in 64 BC. Today, Tyre is a tourist town. The city’s Roman amphitheater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city is mentioned in the Bible.
Larnaca, Cyprus
Larnaca is the southern coastal port city of Cyprus. It is the third largest city in the country. People of Phoenician civilization founded this city. It was then called Sitium. The city of Larnaca is well known for its beaches and palm trees. Its archaeological sites and beaches are attractive to modern tourists.
Cadiz, Spain
Cadiz is a historic city in Spain. It is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. The city has been used as a Spanish naval base since the 18th century. The Phoenicians built this city. At that time the city was a small trading center. The Carthaginian Empire took control of the city in 500 BC. Later the city came under the Roman and Moorish empires.
Varanasi, India
Varanasi, a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, is locally known as Banaras. This ancient city is located on the western bank of the river Ganga. It is a very holy city for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is one of the holiest places in India. According to Hindu mythology, the city was founded by the Hindu god Shiva 5,000 years ago. Despite this, modern scholars estimate the city’s age to be 3,000 years.
“Varnasi is older than history, older than tradition, and even older than legend,” according to American author Mark Twain. From the archaeological remains found in Varanasi, it is believed that the city was settled in the 11th or 12th century BC. For this reason, Varanasi is considered one of the oldest cities in the world.
Athens, Greece
Athens is the capital of Greece. Athens is also the largest city in the country. This city is called the cradle of western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Athens’ tradition is still very evident. It is full of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman monuments. The city is very popular with tourists. In the past, Athens was a powerful city-state. It was a center of art, education, and philosophy. Athens was Plato’s school and Aristotle’s place of learning.
Shush, Iran
Sush is one of the oldest cities in the world. Susa was the capital of the Elamite Empire before Assyria took over. According to the analysis of archaeological remains, the city of Shush is at least 6500 years old. Currently around 0.1 million people live in this city. This important city of Mesopotamia and Persian civilization is included in the UNESCO-recognized world heritage.
Damascus, Syria
Damascus is the capital of Syria. This city was probably settled by people around 1000 BC. Many claim that Damascus is the oldest city in the world. However, there is debate among experts on this claim. The Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans each occupied the city at different times.
Also Read: Top 10 Countries Rich in Natural Resources
