As-Suwayda

Suada redirects here. For the genus of grass skipper butterflies, see Suada (butterfly).

As-Suwayda' (Arabic: السويداء‎ / ALA-LC: as-Suwaydā’), also spelt Sweida, is a mainly Druze city located in southwestern Syria, close to the border with Jordan.

It is the capital of Muhafazat as-Suwayda', one of Syria's 14 governorates, bordering Jordan in the South and the governorates of Daraa in the West and Rif Dimashq in the North and East.

Demographics and Population

The inhabitants of the city are mainly Druze with a prominent Greek orthodox minority, The population of the city is estimated at 63,324 (2008).

History

The city was founded by the Nabataeans as Suada. It became known as Dionysias (Greek: Διονύσιας) in the Hellenistic and Roman times, for Dionysus the god of wine - the city is situated in a famous ancient wine-producing region.

The name Dionysias replaced the former Nabatean name of Suada in 149 AD after the Nabataean influence decreased and then concentrated towards the south, as a result of the accelerating Hellenization of Coele-Syria at that time.

Dionysias was a part of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, and received the rights of civitas under the reign of Commodus between 180–185.

Dionysus was worshipped in the same Nabatean temple dedicated for Dushara. This practice of associating the worship of local and Hellenic gods was common in Hellenistic Syria.

This name remained in use during the Byzantine period, when the town was under the influence of Ghassanids, Dionysias then was a Diocese as a suffragan of Bosra. It was mentioned in the Synecdemus of Hierocles. After the Arab conquests it became a titular see.^[1]

In recent times Dionysias was firstly identified as Sweida by William Henry Waddington.

Archaeology

Many archeological remains can be found in the old part of Sweida including:

• Temple of Dionysus-Dushara: eight well-decorated columns are still standing from the temple.

• Saint Sergius Basilica: was built in the fifth century A.D. It has Byzantine architecture elements, with an abbey surrounding it. The basilica was dedicated to Saint Sergius.

• The arch of the lesser church: the church itself is ruined. An arch is still standing there known locally as Al Mashnaqa with grape motif decorations.

• The amphitheatre: was recently discovered, south of the Agora.

The city has also many Roman time old houses that are still inhabited by locals, ancient reservoirs, and watch towers.

Many parts of the old city are still to be excavated like the Roman aqueduct, a conical reservoir, and a larger Roman amphitheatre.

References

1. ^ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05009a.htm Dionysias in the Catholic Encyclopedia.