Beirut

About Beirut

Beirut, the capital of the Lebanese Republic, has long been considered, by virtue of its strategic location, the crossroads between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, and the gateway to the East. Its million inhabitants are a unique blend of the Eastern and Western cultures. Named Beroth, the city of wells, by the Phoenicians. It is one of the oldest settlements of man as evidenced by relics from the prehistoric communities. In Phoenician times, however, it was dwarfed by thriving Byblos, Sidon and Tyre. When occupied by the Romans under the command of Pompey in 64 B.C., it entered the most glorious period of its ancient history. In 15 B.C. it was named Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berythus and acquired the rights of a Roman city-state. What most contributed to its fame, however, was its School of Law which, under Septimus Severus (192 - 211 A.D.) excelled the Schools of Constantinople and Athens and rivalled that of Rome.