Ancient cities amaze with their grandeur: our history was born and unfolded in them. And although most of the ancient cities have not survived to our time, there are a few that we can see today. Some of these cities are small, while others are huge. This list contains cities that have not only survived to this day, but continue to function. Each city is photographed at sunrise and sunset. In addition, in some photographs you can find the sights of these places.

10. Plovdiv
Founded: before 400 BC

Plovdiv is located in present-day Bulgaria. It was founded by the Thracians and was originally called Eumolpias. It was conquered by the Macedonians and eventually became part of present-day Bulgaria. It is the second largest and most important city in Bulgaria after the capital Sofia, which is about 150 kilometers away.

9. Jerusalem
Founded: 2000 BC




Jerusalem is one of oldest cities in the world, and is considered the holy city of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It is the capital of Israel (although not all countries recognize this fact). In ancient times it was famous city David from the Bible, and then the place where Jesus spent his last week life.

8. Xi'an
Founded: 1100 BC




One of the four great ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is now the capital of Shaanxi Province. The city is full of ancient ruins, monuments, and it still has an ancient wall built during the Ming Dynasty - pictured below. It also houses the tombs of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who is best known for his terracotta army.

7. Cholula
Founded: 500 BC




Cholula is located in the Mexican state of Puebla, which was founded before the arrival of Columbus to the shores of America. Its most famous attraction is Great Pyramid Cholula, which now looks like a hill with a church on top. However, in reality, the hill is the base of the pyramid. The pyramid temple is the largest in the new world.

6. Varanasi
Founded: 1200 BC




Varanasi (also known as Benares) is located in Indian state Uttar Pradesh. Jains and Hindus consider it a holy city and believe that if a person dies there, he will be saved. This is the oldest populated city in India and one of the oldest in the world. Along the Ganges River, you can find many holes - these are stops on the way of believers, in which they perform religious ablutions.

5. Lisbon
Founded: 1200 BC




Lisbon is the largest city and capital of Portugal. This is the most Old city in Western Europe- much older than London, Rome, and similar cities. Religious and funerary monuments have been preserved there since the Neolithic era, and archaeological evidence also indicates that it was once an important trading city for the Phoenicians. In 1755 the city moved destructive earthquake, which almost completely destroyed it due to fires and tsunamis - this earthquake was one of the deadliest in history.

4. Athens
Founded: 1400 BC




Athens is the capital of Greece and also The largest city. Its 3,400 year history is eventful, and due to Athenian dominance in the region, as a huge city-state, most of The cultures and customs of the ancient Athenians are reflected in many other cultures. Many archaeological sites make Athens ideal city to visit for those who are interested in European history and culture.

3. Damascus
Founded: 1700 BC




Damascus is the capital of Syria and more than 2.6 million people live here. Unfortunately, however, recent civil uprisings have caused considerable damage to one of the most significant and ancient cities in history. Damascus has been listed in the top 12 properties cultural heritage that are in danger of being destroyed or in danger of being irreparably damaged. Only time will tell if this one can ancient city survive or else be recorded in history as one of the ancient disappeared cities in the world.

2. Rome
Founded: 753 BC




Initially, Rome was a collection of small urban-type settlements. However, it eventually became a city-state governing one of the greatest empires throughout the history of mankind. The period of existence of the Roman Empire (which grew from the Roman Republic) was relatively short - it was founded in 27 BC. its first emperor, Augustus, and the last, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed in 476 (although the Eastern Roman Empire lasted another 977 years).

1. Istanbul
Founded: 660 BC




As noted above, the Eastern Roman Empire, with its capital in the city of Constantinople - now known as Istanbul, continued to exist until 1453. Constantinople was captured by the Turks, who founded the Ottoman Empire in its place. The Ottoman Empire lasted until 1923, when it was created Turkish Republic and the sultanate was abolished. To this day, both Roman and Ottoman artifacts can be seen in Istanbul, the most significant of which is probably the Hagia Sophia. Initially, it was a church, then it was converted into a mosque by the Islamic Ottomans, and with the formation of the republic it became a museum.

Memphis, Babylon, Thebes - they all once were major centers, but only the name remains of them. However, there are cities that have existed throughout the history of mankind, from the Stone Age to the present day.

Jericho (West Bank)

At the very foot of the Judean Mountains, opposite the confluence of the Jordan into the Dead Sea, is the most ancient city on earth - Jericho. Traces of settlements dating back to the 10th-9th millennium BC were found here. e. It was a permanent site of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A culture, whose representatives built the first wall of Jericho. The defensive structure of the Stone Age was four meters high and two meters wide. Inside it was a powerful eight-meter tower, which, obviously, was used for ritual purposes. Its ruins have survived to this day.

The name Jericho (in Hebrew Jericho) according to one version comes from a word with the meaning "smell" and "fragrance" - "reach". According to another, from the word moon - "yareah", which the founders of the city could revere. First written reference we meet about him in the book of Joshua, which describes the fall of the walls of Jericho and the capture of the city by the Jews in 1550 BC. e. By that time, the city was already a powerful fortified fortress, whose system of seven walls was a real labyrinth. Not for nothing - Jericho had something to defend. It was located at the crossroads of three important trade routes of the Middle East, right in the middle of a blooming oasis with large quantity fresh water and fertile soil. For the desert dwellers real earth promised.

Jericho was the first city to be captured by the Israelites. It was completely destroyed, and all the inhabitants were killed, with the exception of the harlot Rahab, who had previously sheltered Jewish spies, for which she was spared.

Today Jericho, located on West Bank Jordan is a disputed territory between Palestine and Israel, remaining in a zone of permanent military conflict. Therefore, visiting the most ancient and rich in historical sights of the city is not recommended.

Damascus: "eye of the desert" (Syria)

Damascus, the current capital of Syria, is fighting for the first place with Jericho. The earliest mention of it was found in the list of conquered cities of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who lived in 1479-1425 BC. e. In the first book of the Old Testament, Damascus is mentioned as large and well famous center trade.

In the 13th century, the historian Yaqut al-Humavi claimed that the city was founded by Adam and Eve themselves, who, after being expelled from Eden, found refuge in the cave of blood (Magarat ad-Damm) on Mount Qasyun on the outskirts of Damascus. The first murder in history, described in Old Testament Cain killed his brother. According to legend, the self-name Damascus comes from the ancient Aramaic word "demshak", which means "brother's blood." Another, more plausible version says that the name of the city goes back to the Aramaic word Darmeśeq, which means “well-irrigated place”.

It is not known for certain who first founded the settlement near Mount Kasyun. But recent excavations at Tel Ramada, a suburb of Damascus, have shown that humans settled the area around 6300 BC. e.

Byblos (Lebanon)

Closes the top three ancient cities Byblos, known today as Jbeil. It is located on the coast mediterranean sea 32 km from Beirut, current capital Lebanon. Once it was a large Phoenician city founded in the 4th millennium BC, although the first settlements on this territory date back to the late stone age- 7th millennium.

The ancient name of the city is associated with the legend of a certain Biblis, who was madly in love with her brother, Kavnos. She died of grief when her lover fled to escape sin, and her shed tears formed an inexhaustible well of water that watered the city. According to another version, byblos in Greece was called papyrus, which was exported from the city.

The Bible was one of major ports ancient era. He was also known for the spread of the cult of Baal there - the formidable god of the Sun, who "demanded" self-torture and bloody sacrifices from his adherents. written language ancient Byblos is still one of the main mysteries ancient world. The Proto-Biblic script, widespread in the second millennium BC, is still not decipherable; it does not look like any of the known writing systems of the Ancient World.

Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

Today it is customary to consider the oldest city in Europe not Rome or even Athens, but the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, located in the southern part of the country between the Rhodope and Balkan mountains (the home of the legendary Orpheus) and the Upper Thracian lowland. The first settlements on its territory date back to the 6th-4th millennium BC. e., although Plovdiv, or rather, then Evmolpiada, reached its heyday under the peoples of the sea - the Thracians. In 342 BC. he was captured by Philip II of Macedon - father the famous Alexander who named it Philippopolis in his honor. Subsequently, the city managed to be under Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, which made it the second cultural center in Bulgaria after Sofia. In world history, Derbent has become an unofficial "checkpoint" between Europe and Asia. One of the most important sections of the Great Silk Road ran here. It is not surprising that he has always been a favorite object of the neighbors' conquests. The Roman Empire showed great interest in him - main goal campaigns to the Caucasus by Lucullus and Pompey in 66-65 BC was precisely Derbent. In the 5th century A.D. e. when the city belonged to the Sassanids, powerful fortifications were erected here to protect against nomads, including the fortress of Naryn-kala. From it, located at the foot of the mountain range, two walls descended to the sea, designed to protect the city and trade route. It is from this time that the history of Derbent as a large city is counted.

In the course of the development of civilization, people united their scattered dwellings. This is how cities were born. History erected great settlements and just as ruthlessly wiped them off the face of the Earth. Only a few cities have been able to go through the centuries, having endured all the blows of fate. The walls stood in the sun and rain, they saw how the ages came and went.

These cities became silent witnesses of how our civilization was reborn and fell into decay. Today, not all the great cities of the past continue to give shelter to people, many simply lie in ruins or have completely disappeared from the face of the Earth.

The British newspaper "The Guardian" has chosen the 15 most ancient cities in the world, each of which has its own unique architecture and unusual history. These places have such an ancient history that only approximate dates can be given, historians are arguing around them. So where does a person live continuously the longest?

Jericho, Palestinian Territories. This settlement appeared here 11 thousand years ago. This is the oldest residential city in the world, which was repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. Jericho is also known in ancient texts as the "city of palm trees". Archaeologists have found here the remains of 20 successive settlements, which made it possible to determine the venerable age of the city. The city is located near the Jordan River, on the western bank. Even today, about 20 thousand people live here. And the ruins of ancient Jericho are located west of center modern city. Archaeologists have been able to find here the remains of a large tower from the pre-ceramic Neolithic period (8400-7300 BC). Jericho keeps burials of the Chalcolithic period, the city walls are still bronze age. Perhaps it was they who fell from the loud trumpets of the Israelites, giving rise to the phrase "Jericho trumpets." In the city you can find the ruins of the winter palace-residence of King Herod the Great with swimming pools, baths, lavishly decorated halls. The mosaic on the floor of the synagogue dating back to the 5th-6th centuries has also been preserved here. And at the foot of the Tel-as-Sultan hill is the source of the prophet Elisha. Historians believe that the hills adjacent to Jericho hide many archaeological treasures comparable to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.

Byblos, Lebanon. The settlement in this place is already about 7 thousand years old. The city of Gebal, mentioned in the Bible, was founded by the Phoenicians. His other name, Byblos (Byblos), he received from the Greeks. The fact is that the city supplied them with papyrus, which was called on Greek"byblos". The city has been known since the 4th millennium BC. Byblos became famous for its temples of Baal, the cult of the god Adonis was born here. It was from here that it spread to the territory of Greece. The ancient Egyptians wrote that it was in this city that Isis found the body of Osiris in a wooden box. The main tourist attractions of the city are the ancient Phoenician temples, the temple of St. John the Baptist, built by the Crusaders in the XII century, the city castle and the remains of the city wall. Now here, 32 kilometers from Beirut, is the Arab city of Jbeil.

Aleppo, Syria. Archaeologists believe that people settled here in 4300 BC. Today this city is the most populated in Syria, the number of inhabitants in it is approaching 4 million. Previously, it was known under the names Halpe or Khalibon. For many centuries, Aleppo was the third largest city in ottoman empire second only to Constantinople and Cairo. The origin of the city's name is not entirely clear. Presumably "haleb" means copper or iron. The fact is that in ancient times there was a large center for their production. On the Aramaic"halaba" means "white", which is associated with the color of the soil in this area and the abundance of marble rocks. And my current name Aleppo received from the Italians who visited here with crusades. Ancient Aleppo is evidenced by Hittite inscriptions, Mari inscriptions in the Euphrates, in central Anatolia and in the city of Ebla. These ancient texts speak of the city as an important military and commercial center. For the Hittites, Aleppo was of particular importance, as it was the center of worship for the weather god. AT economic terms the city has always been an important place. Here passed the Great silk road. Aleppo has always been a tidbit for invaders - it belonged to the Greeks, Persians, Assyrians, Romans, Arabs, Turks and even the Mongols. Right here great Tamerlane ordered to erect a tower of 20,000 skulls. With the opening of the Suez Canal, Aleppo's role as a trading center has become smaller. Currently, this city is experiencing a revival, it is one of the most beautiful places in the Middle East.

Damascus, Syria. Many believe. That Damascus is worthy of the title of the oldest city in the world. Although there is an opinion that people lived here 12 thousand years ago, another date of settlement looks more truthful - 4300 BC. The medieval Arab historian Ibn Asakir in XII claimed that after Flood The Damascus Wall was the first wall erected. He attributed the birth of the city to the 4th millennium BC. The first historical evidence about Damascus date back to the 15th century BC. Then the city was under the rule of Egypt and its pharaohs. Later, Damascus was part of Assyria, the Neo-Babylonian kingdom, Persia, the empire of Alexander the Great, and after his death, it was part of the Hellenistic kingdom of the Seleucids. The heyday of the city fell on the era of the Arameans. They created a whole network of water channels in the city, which today are the basis of modern water networks Damascus. urban agglomeration Today it has 2.5 million people. In 2008 Damascus was recognized cultural capital the Arab world.

Susa, Iran. The settlement in this place is already 6200 years old. And the first traces of a man in Susa date back to 7000 BC. The city is located on the territory of the modern province of Khuzestan, in Iran. Susa entered the history as the capital ancient state Elam. The Sumerians wrote about the city in their early documents. Thus, the works “Enmerkar and the Ruler of Aratta” say that Susa was dedicated to the deity Inanna, the patroness of Uruk. There are numerous references to the ancient city in the Old Testament, especially often its name is found in the Scriptures. The prophets Daniel and Nehemiah lived here during the Babylonian captivity in the 6th century BC, in the city Esther became a queen and saved from persecution by a Jew. The state of the Elamites ceased to exist with the victories of Ashurbanipal, Susa itself was plundered, which happened far from the first time. The son of Cyrus the Great made Susa the capital of the Persian kingdom. However, this state also ceased to exist, thanks to Alexander the Great. The city has lost its former significance. Muslims and Mongols later walked along Susa with destruction, as a result, life in it barely flickered. Today the city is called Shusha, about 65 thousand people live in it.

Faiyum, Egypt. This city has a history of 6 millennia. It is located southwest of Cairo, in the oasis of the same name, occupying part of Crocodilopolis. In that ancient place The Egyptians worshiped the sacred Sebek, the crocodile god. The pharaohs of the 12th dynasty liked to visit Faiyum, then the city was called Shedit. This fact follows from the remains of funerary pyramids and temples found by Flinders Petrie. Faiyum was home to the famous Labyrinth described by Herodotus. Quite a few have been found in this area. archaeological finds. But world fame got the Fayum drawings. They were made using the technique of enacaustics and were funerary portraits from the time of Roman Egypt. Currently, the population of the city of El Faiyum is more than 300 thousand people.

Sidon, Lebanon. People founded their first settlement here in 4000 BC. Sidon is located 25 kilometers south of Beirut on the Mediterranean coast. This city was one of the most significant and oldest Phoenician cities. It was he who was the heart of that empire. AT X-IX centuries BC. Sidon was the largest shopping center of that world. In the Bible, he was called "the firstborn of Canaan", the brother of the Amorite and the Hittite. It is believed that both Jesus and the apostle Paul visited Sidon. And in 333 BC. The city was captured by Alexander the Great. Today the city is called Saida and is inhabited by Shiite and Sunni Muslims. It is the third largest city in Lebanon with a population of 200,000 people.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria. This city also arose in 4000 BC. Today it is the second largest in Bulgaria and one of the oldest in Europe. Even Athens, Rome, Carthage and Constantinople are younger than Plovdiv. The Roman historian Ammian Marcellinus said that the Thracians gave the first name to this settlement - Evmolpiada. In 342 BC. the city was conquered by Philip II of Macedon, the father of the legendary conqueror. In honor of himself, the king named the settlement Philippopolis, while the Thracians pronounced this word as Pulpudeva. Since the 6th century, Slavic tribes began to control the city. In 815 he joined the First Bulgarian kingdom under the name Pyldin. For the next few centuries, these lands passed from hand to hand from the Bulgarians to the Byzantines, until they captured it for a long time. Ottoman Turks. Crusaders came to Plovdiv four times and plundered the city. Nowadays the city is an important cultural center. There are many ruins here, testifying to a rich history. The Roman aqueduct and amphitheater, as well as the Ottoman baths, stand out here. About 370 thousand people now live in Plovdiv.

Gaziantep, Turkey. This settlement appeared around 3650 BC. It is located in the south of Turkey, near the Syrian border. Gaziantep takes its history from the time of the Hittites. Until February 1921, the city was called Antep, and the Turkish parliament gave the prefix Gazi to the inhabitants for their merits during the battles for the country's independence. Today, more than 800 thousand people live here. Gaziantep is one of the most important ancient centers in the southeast of Anatolia. This city lies between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia. Here the roads between the south, north, west and east intersected, and the Great Silk Road passed. Until now, in Gaziantep you can find historical relics from the times of the Assyrians, the Hittites, the era of Alexander the Great. With the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the city also experienced prosperity.

Beirut, Lebanon. In Beirut, people began to live 3 thousand years before the birth of Christ. Today this city is the capital of Lebanon, economic, cultural and administrative center countries. And the Phoenicians laid Lebanon, choosing rocky land in the middle of the Mediterranean coast modern territory Lebanon. It is believed that the name of the city comes from the word "birot", meaning "well". Long time Beirut remained in the region in the background, behind more significant neighbors - Tire and Sidon. It was not until the era of the Roman Empire that the city became influential. There was a famous legal school here, which developed the basic postulates of the Code of Justinian. Over time, this document will become the basis European system rights. In 635, the Arabs occupied Beirut, incorporating the city into Arab Caliphate. In 1100, the Crusaders captured the city, and in 1516, the Turks. Until 1918, Beirut was part of the Ottoman Empire. In the last century, the city with a glorious history has become an important cultural, financial and intellectual center in the Eastern Mediterranean. And since 1941, Beirut has become the capital of a new independent state- Lebanese Republic.

Jerusalem, Israel/Palestinian Territories. This great city without a doubt was founded in 2800 BC. Jerusalem was able to become both the spiritual center of the Jewish people and the third holy city of Islam. In the town big number important religious sites, including the Wailing Wall, the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher al-Aqsa. It is not surprising that Jerusalem was constantly trying to conquer. As a result, the history of the city has 23 sieges, 52 attacks. It was captured 44 times and destroyed 2 times. The ancient city lies on the watershed between dead sea and the Mediterranean, in the spurs of the Judean Mountains at an altitude of 650-840 meters above sea level. The first settlements in this area date back to the 4th millennium BC. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem is spoken of as the capital of the Jebusites. This population lived in Judea even before the Jews. It was they who founded the city, populating it initially. There is also a mention of Jerusalem on Egyptian figurines of the 20th-19th centuries BC. There, among the curses against hostile cities, Rushalimum was also mentioned. In the XI century BC. Jerusalem was occupied by the Jews, who proclaimed it the capital of the kingdom of Israel, and from the 10th century BC. - Jewish. After 400 years, the city was captured by Babylon, then it was ruled by Persian Empire. Jerusalem changed owners many times - they were Romans, Arabs, Egyptians, Crusaders. From 1517 to 1917 the city was part of the Ottoman Empire, after which it came under the jurisdiction of Great Britain. Now Jerusalem with a population of 800 thousand people is the capital of Israel.

Tire, Lebanon. This city was founded in 2750 BC. Tire was a famous Phoenician city, a major trading center. The date of its foundation was named by Herodotus himself. And there was a settlement on the territory of modern Lebanon. In 332 B.C. Tire was taken by the troops of Alexander the Great, this required a seven-month siege. From 64 BC Tire became a Roman province. It is believed that the apostle Paul lived here for some time. In the Middle Ages, Tire was known as one of the most impregnable fortresses in the Middle East. It was in this city that Frederick Barbarossa, King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor, was buried in 1190. Now in place of the great ancient settlement stands the small town of Sur. It no longer has any special significance; trade began to be conducted through Beirut.

Erbil, Iraq. This settlement is already 4300 years old. It is located north of the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Erbil is the capital of the Iraqi unrecognized state Kurdistan. This city throughout its history belonged to different nations- Assyrians, Persians, Sassanids, Arabs and Turks. Archaeological studies have confirmed that people have lived in this area without a break for more than 6 thousand years. The most eloquent evidence of this is the hill of the Citadel. It is the remains of former settlements. There was a wall around it, which was created in pre-Islamic times. When Erbil was under the rule of the Persians, Greek sources called it Hawler or Arbela. Passed through it royal road, which went from the very center of the Persian center to the coast of the Aegean Sea. Erbil was also a transit point on the Great Silk Road. Until now, the ancient city citadel, 26 meters high, is visible from afar.

Kirkuk, Iraq. This city appeared in 2200 BC. It is located 250 kilometers north of Baghdad. Kirkuk is located on the site of the ancient Hurrian and Assyrian capital of Arrapha. The city had an important strategic position, so three empires fought for it at once - Babylon, Assyria and Media. It was they who shared control over Kirkuk for a long time. Even today, there are still ruins that are 4,000 years old. The modern city, thanks to its proximity to the richest field, has become the oil capital of Iraq. About a million people live here today.

Balkh, Afghanistan. This ancient city appeared around the 15th century BC. Balkh became the first large settlement that the Indo-Aryans created during their transition from the Amu Darya. This city became a large and traditional center of Zoroastrianism, it is believed that it was here that Zarathustra was born. In late antiquity, Balkh became already important center Hinayana. Historians said that in the 7th century there were more than a hundred Buddhist monasteries in the city, only 30 thousand monks lived in them alone. The largest temple was Navbahar, its name in Sanskrit means "new monastery". There was a huge Buddha statue there. In 645, the city was first captured by the Arabs. However, after the robbery, they left Balkh. In 715, the Arabs returned here, having already settled in the city for a long time. Further history Balkha knew the arrival of the Mongols and Timur, nevertheless, even Marco Polo, describing the city, called it "great and worthy." In the XVI-XIX centuries, Persians fought for Balkh, Khanate of Bukhara and Afghans. bloody wars ended only with the transfer of the city under the authority of the Afghan Emir in 1850. Today this place is considered the center of the cotton industry, leather is well dressed here, getting "Persian sheepskin". And 77 thousand people live in the city.

Memphis, Babylon, Thebes - all of them were once the largest centers, but only the name remains of them. However, there are cities that have existed throughout the history of mankind, from the Stone Age to the present day.

Jericho (West Bank)

At the very foot of the Judean Mountains, opposite the confluence of the Jordan into the Dead Sea, is the most ancient city on earth - Jericho. Traces of settlements dating back to the 10th-9th millennium BC were found here. e. It was a permanent site of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A culture, whose representatives built the first wall of Jericho. The defensive structure of the Stone Age was four meters high and two meters wide. Inside it was a powerful eight-meter tower, which, obviously, was used for ritual purposes. Its ruins have survived to this day.

The name Jericho (in Hebrew Jericho) according to one version comes from a word with the meaning "smell" and "fragrance" - "reach". According to another, from the word moon - "yareah", which the founders of the city could revere. We find the first written mention of it in the book of Joshua, which describes the fall of the walls of Jericho and the capture of the city by the Jews in 1550 BC. e. By that time, the city was already a powerful fortified fortress, whose system of seven walls was a real labyrinth. Not for nothing - Jericho had something to defend. It was located at the crossroads of three important trade routes of the Middle East, right in the middle of a flourishing oasis with plenty of fresh water and fertile soil. For the inhabitants of the desert - the real promised land.

Jericho was the first city to be captured by the Israelites. It was completely destroyed, and all the inhabitants were killed, with the exception of the harlot Rahab, who had previously sheltered Jewish spies, for which she was spared.

Today, Jericho, located on the West Bank of the Jordan, is a disputed territory between Palestine and Israel, remaining in a zone of constant military conflict. Therefore, visiting the most ancient and rich in historical sights of the city is not recommended.

Damascus: "eye of the desert" (Syria

Damascus, the current capital of Syria, is fighting for the first place with Jericho. The earliest mention of it was found in the list of conquered cities of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who lived in 1479-1425 BC. e. In the first book of the Old Testament, Damascus is mentioned as a large and well-known center of trade.

In the 13th century, the historian Yaqut al-Humavi claimed that the city was founded by Adam and Eve themselves, who, after being expelled from Eden, found refuge in the cave of blood (Magarat ad-Damm) on Mount Qasyun on the outskirts of Damascus. The first murder in history described in the Old Testament also took place there - Cain killed his brother. According to legend, the self-name Damascus comes from the ancient Aramaic word "demshak", which means "brother's blood." Another, more plausible version says that the name of the city goes back to the Aramaic word Darmeśeq, which means “well-irrigated place”.

It is not known for certain who first founded the settlement near Mount Kasyun. But recent excavations at Tel Ramada, a suburb of Damascus, have shown that humans settled the area around 6300 BC. e.

Byblos (Lebanon)

Closes the top three of the most ancient cities - Byblos, known today as Jbeil. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, 32 km from Beirut, the current capital of Lebanon. Once it was a large Phoenician city founded in the 4th millennium BC, although the first settlements on this territory date back to the Late Stone Age - the 7th millennium.

The ancient name of the city is associated with the legend of a certain Biblis, who was madly in love with her brother, Kavnos. She died of grief when her lover fled to escape sin, and her shed tears formed an inexhaustible well of water that watered the city. According to another version, byblos in Greece was called papyrus, which was exported from the city.

Byblos was one of the largest ports of antiquity. He was also known for the spread of the cult of Baal there - the formidable god of the Sun, who "demanded" self-torture and bloody sacrifices from his adherents. The written language of the ancient Byblos is still one of the main mysteries of the Ancient World. The Proto-Biblic script, widespread in the second millennium BC, is still not decipherable; it does not look like any of the known writing systems of the Ancient World.

Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

Today it is customary to consider the oldest city in Europe not Rome or even Athens, but the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, located in the southern part of the country between the Rhodope and Balkan mountains (the home of the legendary Orpheus) and the Upper Thracian lowland. The first settlements on its territory date back to the 6th-4th millennium BC. e., although Plovdiv, or rather, then Evmolpiada, reached its heyday under the peoples of the sea - the Thracians. In 342 BC. it was captured by Philip II of Macedon, the father of the famous Alexander, who named it Philippopolis in his honor. Subsequently, the city managed to visit the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, which made it the second cultural center in Bulgaria after Sofia.

Derbent (Russia)

One of the top five oldest cities in the world is located on the territory of our country. This is Derbent in Dagestan, the southernmost and most ancient city in Russia. The first settlements arose here in the early Bronze Age (4th millennium BC). It was first mentioned by the famous ancient Greek historian Hecateus of Miletus in the 6th century BC, who gives the most ancient name city: "Caspian gates". The city owes such a romantic name to its geographic location- he stretched out coastline Caspian Sea - where the mountains of the Caucasus come closest to the Caspian Sea, leaving only a three-kilometer strip of plain.

In world history, Derbent has become an unofficial "checkpoint" between Europe and Asia. One of the most important sections of the Great Silk Road ran here. It is not surprising that he has always been a favorite object of the neighbors' conquests. The Roman Empire showed great interest in him - the main goal of the campaigns to the Caucasus by Lucullus and Pompey in 66-65 BC. was precisely Derbent. In the 5th century A.D. e. when the city belonged to the Sassanids, powerful fortifications were erected here to protect against nomads, including the fortress of Naryn-kala. From it, located at the foot of the mountain range, two walls descended to the sea, designed to protect the city and the trade route. It is from this time that the history of Derbent as a large city is counted.

Not all cities were lucky enough to keep their original appearance. AT difficult times wars and conquests, many cities were destroyed and then rebuilt, so only a few buildings managed to "survive" to our times. Yet there are majestic cities that can rightfully be worn proud title"the oldest city in the world".

Jericho (Palestine)

The mention of the first settlements on the site of modern Jericho dates back to 9000 BC. Three millennia later, the city began to actively rebuild and already at the turn of the 3rd and 2nd millennium reached the peak of its development. Several times it was destroyed, one of which was mentioned in the Bible.

It was a majestic city, in which houses were built of brick and stone. Archaeologists have discovered here the ruins of an ancient synagogue dating back to the 1st century BC, magnificent winter palaces with baths, pools and richly decorated halls. Not far from Jericho rises Mount Karantal, on which, according to legend, Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days. Now in that place there is a majestic monastery of Temptation carved into the rocks.

Damascus (Syria)

Another most ancient city is Damascus, the first mention of which appeared in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Due to the fact that in old times Damascus was under the rule of the Egyptians, Israelis, Assyrians, Persians, and even, this ancient city absorbed the culture of these peoples.

He became famous for his Damascus steel, which was popular in medieval Europe. Today here you can see the ruins of the ancient gates of the fortress, protecting the city from raids, catholic churches, temples, mosques, old houses, which are the most important monuments of Damascus culture and history.

Susa (Iran)

The first mention of the ancient city of Susa (modern Shush) dates back to the 7th-4th millennium BC. It was the ancient Sumerian capital of the state of Elam. In 668 B.C. The Babylonians burned Susa, and after 10 years the state of Elam ceased to exist. The Persians rebuilt the city, rebuilding and expanding the stately palaces, and making Susa their capital.

In our era, the city was plundered and destroyed by Muslims and Mongols, so few monuments of that period have come down to us. Only the French archaeological expedition, which excavated the ancient city, left the most significant attraction - the French fortress, built in the 19th century to protect the members of the expedition and protect the finds.

Derbent (Dagestan)

Russia also has the oldest city, and it was founded in 438 AD, although the first mention of settlements dates back to the end of the 4th millennium BC. With different languages its name is translated as "closed gate", "stone", "wall". And this is no coincidence - due to the frequent raids of nomads, Derbent has become a reliable fortress. Since the Great Silk Road passed through the city, it had an important trade value, and at one time many nations wanted to conquer it. It was under the control of the Persians, Arabs, Iranians, and only in 1813 began to belong to Russia.

The main attractions of Derbent are its fortress with many gates, the Juma mosque, the oldest in Russia, the Naryn-Kala fortress and the Derbent tunnel, the length of which is 318 m.

Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

The oldest city in Bulgaria was known as early as the 6th millennium BC. In 72 B.C. got under Roman rule and received rapid development. The influence of Rome has brought to our times the Roman buildings of that time - the amphitheater, the baths and the hippodrome. In the VI century, they began to belong to the Bulgarians ( Slavic tribe), then Byzantium, and in 1364 was captured Ottoman Empire.

Plovdiv is now the second largest city in Bulgaria. The rich history of the city has left many wonderful sights that characterize a particular culture. Here you can see ancient Roman buildings, mosques, and a Thracian fortress.

Jerusalem (Israel)

This city has richest history associated with conquest and biblical legends. Founded in the 4th millennium BC Jerusalem has a sacred meaning for millions of people. Many biblical events are associated with it, including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His story is truly amazing and extensive. Here are the shrines of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and thousands of pilgrims come to Jerusalem every year to remember their saints and pray.

The most famous sights of Jerusalem are the Wailing Wall, the mosque on the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Athens, Greece)

The first mention of ancient capital Greece refers to the XV century BC. It reached its peak of development in 500-300 BC. and rightfully bears the name of the cradle Greek culture. It became the birthplace of many famous ancient Greek historians, geographers, poets and philosophers. There are still monuments here. ancient history such as the Acropolis, the Athenian agora, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, etc.

This is only an incomplete list of the most ancient cities. There are other cities in the world that have such old story that their origin and foundation can only be guessed from the few documents that have come down to us. They are priceless because they saw the change of eras and civilizations, and even despite the ruins, their greatness will never sink into oblivion.