In Roman Days

Abstract

Undex the Romans the entire area from the Taurus to Sinai was incorporated into a single province, Syria. Officially Phoenicia ceased to exist. Strabo (d. A.D. 24) was the first geographer to use the term Syria in this official meaning, although Herodotus, centuries before, had used it loosely in its wide sense. As a frontier district bordering on Parthia, Rome’s only rival then and formidable enemy, the province of Syria was placed under a proconsul, seated in Antioch and in control of a strong military force of four legions. His responsibility included the security of Roman possessions throughout south-west Asia. A chain of military posts was established along the fringe of the Syrian Desert to protect the cultivated and cultured areas against nomads and other intruders. Water stations and strategic points were garrisoned.