Annus et Epochae Syromacedonum in Vetustis Urbium Syriae Nummis praesertim Mediceis Expositae….

1696

Shoults Gb 1696 N

[Leipzig: Thomas Fritsch]

Roman Catholic Cardinal Henry Noris’s (1631-1704) work on the Syro-Macedonian calendar is considered one of his most learned and important. The map accompanying the text features ‘Coele Syria’ and ‘Syria Superior’ – both names for Syria in classical times. The country was part of the ‘cradle of civilisation’ and has over the years been ruled by the Persians (6th cent. BC); the Seleucids (4th cent. BC); and the Romans (1st cent. BC – 5th cent. AD). In the 7th century, Syria was conquered by Muslim Arabs and from 1518 to 1918, the Ottomans ruled the country. In 1920, France extracted a mandate from League of Nations to govern Syria and in 1946, it gained independence. Since 1970, Syria has been ruled by father and son Hafez al-Assad (1930-2000) and Bashar al-Assad (b. 1965).