Qinnasrin

Chalkis ( Chalcis ad Belum; Greek Χαλκίς ) was an ancient city in what is now northern Syria. Since early Islamic times the place is called Quinnesrin, also Qinnasrin ( outdated romanization Ḳinnesrîn ).

Chalkis located 25 kilometers south of Aleppo and a few kilometers east of the present highway to Homs.

History

According to the Greek historian Appian was Chalcis, which may have previously existed but as a place that " founded " by Seleucus Nicator. In a previous existence of the place has, in particular the name back Quinnesrin, which is pre-Greek, " eagle's nest " means and was later adopted by the Arabs.

The place was at the time of Jesus the center of a principality. From 44 to 48 AD it was ruled as a kingdom of Herod of Chalcis, who was with the famous Berenice, later lover of the Roman Emperor Titus, married. His successor was the brother of Berenice, Herod Agrippa II

Since the late 2nd century Chalcis part of the Roman province of Syria Coele. Chalcis was the birthplace of the Neoplatonic philosopher Iamblichus of Chalcis (c. 240 AD). In the sunken city of late antique diocese in Chalkis, the name of today's titular Chalcis in Syria ( Archdiocese Chalcidensis, Calcide di Siria ) of the Catholic Church refers.

In late antiquity, Chalkis became embroiled in the Roman- Persian wars; among other things, it served as a transit point for troops commanded by Belisarius, Justinian in a campaign against the Persian Sassanids. The Sassanid king Khosrau I. Large threatened the city with plunder.

In 629 it was finally conquered by the beginning of the Islamic expansion by the Arabs under Abu ʿ Ubeida. First kept Chalkis - from now on called again Ḳinnesrîn - first of its central position and important function, among other things as the capital of northern Syria and an important military base. In the following years the city lost but increasing influence over the nearby Aleppo. Towards the end of the Middle Ages Ḳinnesrîn was finally almost completely depopulated.

Chalcis in Syria is not to be confused with those referred to in the ancient city of Chalkida also Chalcis in Euboea in Greece.

Famous citizens

• King Herod of Chalcis
• Queen Berenike
• King Herod Agrippa II
• Iamblichus of Chalcis
• Jerome ( 375-378 )
• Rabbula of Edessa