- Beirut is a port city situated on a peninsular and is the capital of Lebanon. It has been continously occupied since c. 1,500 BCE.
- It was named Berytus by the Romans and was located in the Province of Syria.
History
- Pompey conquered the Phoenician town of Biruta in 64 BCE, and settled it with legionary veterans.
- Berytus was made a Colonia in 14 BCE and unusually, was exempt from Imperial Taxation.
- Its possessions included Heliopolis (Baalbeck) and the rich agricultural lands of the Bekaa Valley.
- It became an important Colonia and was the most Romanised city in the Eastern Empire.
- Berytus had an Amphitheatre, Theatre, Porticos and Baths. However, only the site of one of the Baths is visible today.
Roman Sites
- Roman Baths.
- A small part of one of the Baths has been excavated and can be visited.
- Originally there were four Roman Baths, with construction beginning under Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE).
Museums
- National Museum of Beirut
- Located on Damascus Street at VGH8+928, Beirut
- The Museum houses Collections from all Ages including the Roman Period which includes notable Sarcophagii, Statues and Mosaics.
- Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut
- Founded in 1868 CE, it is located in the American University of Beirut at VFXM+QH6.
- The Museum holds Collections from all the Ages inclufing the Roman Period.
Beirut Roman Baths