Cyrrhus

Kyrrhos ( Κύρρος ), also Cyrrhus, Kiros, Kibros, Kurus ( حوروس ) Hagioupolis, today Nebi Houri; was an ancient city on the road from Antioch to Zeugma in what is now northern Syria.

Location

The ruins of Nebi Houri lie about 70 kilometers northwest of Aleppo and 28 kilometers north of Azaz near the Turkish border on a stony hill. In the area thrive olive trees. The nearest village Dayr Sawwan on the access road from the south is six kilometers away. In the one and two kilometers south of the village level, two road bridges from the Roman period ( 3rd century ) are still intact, including their plaster covering. The closest, fünfbogige bridge crosses the river Sabun, which formed the natural boundary of the ancient city in the east, a three-arched bridge over the river Afrin.

History

The provincial town was founded by Antigonus I Monophthalmos around 300 BC or the beginning of the 3rd century BC by the Seleucids. 64 BC Kyrrhos was occupied by the Roman commander Pompey, the place served as a military base in the battles between the Romans and Parthians. The Sassanids sacked the city 256 In late antiquity, here the tombs of the martyrs Cosmas and Damian were venerated. During the Byzantine period was Kyrrhos capital of the province Kyrrhestike in the Diocese of the East. Under Bishop Theodoret, the city became a popular place of pilgrimage. Kyrrhos was a suffragan diocese of Hierapolis Bambyke in the province Euphratensis. As building inscriptions prove the fortification of the city was to the 6th century under Justinian I, expanded. 637, the city fell to the Arabs. Under the Crusaders it was up to 1150 part of the principality of Edessa. This year Kyrrkos was conquered by the Zengids Nur ad -Din, who later gave the Rubeniden Mleh fief. Finally, the city came under the rule of the zengidischen Atabegs of Aleppo. They gradually lost its importance and was abandoned.

Kyrrhos to 1980 was excavated in 1952 by French archaeologists led by Edmond Frézouls.

Cityscape

The city was surrounded by an enclosure wall, which was restored during the Byzantine period ( late 5th century ) and its position is still recognizable. Your irregular course of which resembled the differences in height of the terrain, which rises from the river towards the west by 120 meters. The Citadel, the first construction dates back to the Hellenistic period, was at the highest point on the western edge of the city. In the center of the city between the city gates was attracted by a north- south running, seven -meter-wide street with columns. Another road connected at right angles to two more gates. A large amphitheater with 14 rows of seats used the rising hills to the west. Near the north gate of the former remains of two small basilicas are seen in black basalt.

Mausoleum of the Nebi Houri

Outside the city walls, about 300 meters away from the south gate, was a hexagonal mausoleum with pyramidal roof of the Roman period ( 2nd or 3rd century) completely intact. The condition is due to the dedication of the building in the Islamic period as a tomb revered as a saint houri, which the town owes its present name Nebi Houri ( "prophet houri "). Above the grave chamber with barrel vault on the ground floor is via a narrow staircase, upstairs semi-open domed room. The lower solid part is separated by a cornice on the facade of the upper arch construction on pillars. A similar, but square tower from the same period is further south in Bradford, a Roman city was founded at the height of Jebel Siman.

The mausoleum is an important pilgrimage destination. To the west of the former Roman cemetery adjacent to which is used with some elaborate grave stones to this day as an Islamic burial ground. In the courtyard of the mausoleum some trees provide shade in the otherwise treeless environment. For the pilgrims, a simple lounge is available, the built directly next to the mausoleum flat limestone building of the mosque to date from the 14th century. At this time should be set up also the tomb of the saint.

Colorful fabric strips are inserted from the Sunni believers in the branches of the trees next to it. For these victims shreds any kind fabric can be used, required for the wish-fulfilling or Baraka - donating effect is a personal relationship to the piece, which remains as part of the person giving the holy place. In order to express personal wishes, there is on the northern outer wall of the mosque also some shallow depressions, are placed in the small stones. Stay up-to adhere to the wall, so the is a sign that the request has been accepted. Here a vow to be stored, which requires no sacrifice in return.

An old draw-well provides drinking water, which is valued for its purity, although the water itself should not contain baraka ( blessing power ) and at most indirectly works by going to the fountain the pilgrimage is equivalent to the mausoleum.

Traditionally, every Friday here slaughtered sacrificial animals - usually sheep and goats - and then hung to bleed out into the trees. The right hand is doing dipped in the blood stream and left as an imprint ( hand of Fatima ) on the walls. The meat can be prepared on site or taken from the family home.

Memorable people

• Avidius Cassius, 175 AD Roman (counter) emperor, was born in Kyrrhos.
• Theodoret of Kyrrhos ( 423-457 ), a Byzantine theologian of the 5th century, whose writings were condemned in the Three Chapters controversy.