DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4642#0022
GAZA.
Gaza stands on the summit of a hill, half-a-mile from the sea. The hill is about two miles in circumference
at the base, and appears to have been once wholly enclosed with fortifications. This position, the solidity
of the ancient defences of cities, and a numerous brave population within, might promise security; yet
the advantage of its possession or pillage was always too tempting; and its history has been a succession
of sufferings at the hands of every invader of Palestine.1
Approaching by Beit-Gebrin, the country exhibits a pleasing landscape of corn-field and pasture,
interspersed with clumps of trees and olive-groves, some of which are of great antiquity. The aspect of
Gaza is imposing at a distance. As usual in Oriental cities, the illusion vanishes on entrance. But its
connexion with the caravans renders it a place of considerable traffic, and consequently of considerable
opulence.
Yet this wealth is confined to the principal traders, for the multitude live in that miserable state of
discomfort, which, however it has become a second nature to the Asiatic, startles every sense, and gives
pain to every feeling, of the European.
"There are no remains of its former grandeur standing," observes the Artist; "but that it must
once have been filled with fine architecture is evident, from the pieces of wrought and sculptured marble
everywhere built into the walls of the houses. Its seven Mosques appear to have been erected chiefly
of those ruins. In passing through a wretched suburb, I remarked a number of beautifully sculptured
capitals piled one above another to support the roof of a hovel! Marble and granite columns, in
different degrees of preservation, are found in every quarter; and in the Cemetery, in which our tents
were pitched, lay a magnificent Corinthian capital, in the purest taste."2
The troops in the Engraving were two regiments of Egyptian Light Dragoons and Lancers, on their
march from Gaza to Sidon, armed in the European manner, and the whole in very effective equipment
and condition.
A history of this City would be one of the most striking vicissitude; but our space limits it to a
mere outline. Gaza was among the earliest cities of Canaan mentioned in the Old Testament.3 It next
became memorable as one of the "Five Cities" of the five Lords of the Philistines. It next was taken
by the tribe of Judah ; and then reverted to the Philistines, in one of those lapses of the Israelites into
heathen vice, which inevitably delivered them over to be scourged by the tyranny of the heathen. To
restore them, Samson was sent as the Divine champion, and Gaza was the scene of one of his astonishing
exploits, and of that memorable catastrophe in the Temple of Dagon, "in which the dead whom he slew
at his death, were more than they which he slew in his life."4 Gaza was finally subdued by David, and
formed the border of Solomon's kingdom.
Its history next became mingled with those of the great military nations which arose in the west of
Asia. To Egypt, Gaza was the key of Palestine and Syria. It was thus seized by one of the Pharaohs,
in the time of Jeremiah. Cambyses, on his invasion of Egypt, made it the depository of his treasure.
On Alexander's march into Asia, its position attracted the eye of the great conqueror. It cost him a
five months' siege; and his wrath at the obstinate bravery of its defenders, gave rise to one of those
desperate scenes of cruelty, so frequent in ancient warfare, yet so rare in the victories of that most
splendid of all masters of the sword.5 The inhabitants were massacred, and their places filled up by
strangers. It noiv contains about fifteen thousand people, of whom about five hundred are Christians.
The inhabitants still refer to Samson's carrying away the gates, nay boldly point out the spot from which
they were taken; and the small domed building on the right in the Engraving, marks the spot to which
he is supposed to have borne them.6
1 G. Robinson's Travels.
2 Roberts's Journal. Kinnear, 209.
Arrian, Exp. Alex. ii. 27.
3 Genesis x. 19.
6 Roberts's Journal.
4 Judges xvi.
lp«*
Gaza stands on the summit of a hill, half-a-mile from the sea. The hill is about two miles in circumference
at the base, and appears to have been once wholly enclosed with fortifications. This position, the solidity
of the ancient defences of cities, and a numerous brave population within, might promise security; yet
the advantage of its possession or pillage was always too tempting; and its history has been a succession
of sufferings at the hands of every invader of Palestine.1
Approaching by Beit-Gebrin, the country exhibits a pleasing landscape of corn-field and pasture,
interspersed with clumps of trees and olive-groves, some of which are of great antiquity. The aspect of
Gaza is imposing at a distance. As usual in Oriental cities, the illusion vanishes on entrance. But its
connexion with the caravans renders it a place of considerable traffic, and consequently of considerable
opulence.
Yet this wealth is confined to the principal traders, for the multitude live in that miserable state of
discomfort, which, however it has become a second nature to the Asiatic, startles every sense, and gives
pain to every feeling, of the European.
"There are no remains of its former grandeur standing," observes the Artist; "but that it must
once have been filled with fine architecture is evident, from the pieces of wrought and sculptured marble
everywhere built into the walls of the houses. Its seven Mosques appear to have been erected chiefly
of those ruins. In passing through a wretched suburb, I remarked a number of beautifully sculptured
capitals piled one above another to support the roof of a hovel! Marble and granite columns, in
different degrees of preservation, are found in every quarter; and in the Cemetery, in which our tents
were pitched, lay a magnificent Corinthian capital, in the purest taste."2
The troops in the Engraving were two regiments of Egyptian Light Dragoons and Lancers, on their
march from Gaza to Sidon, armed in the European manner, and the whole in very effective equipment
and condition.
A history of this City would be one of the most striking vicissitude; but our space limits it to a
mere outline. Gaza was among the earliest cities of Canaan mentioned in the Old Testament.3 It next
became memorable as one of the "Five Cities" of the five Lords of the Philistines. It next was taken
by the tribe of Judah ; and then reverted to the Philistines, in one of those lapses of the Israelites into
heathen vice, which inevitably delivered them over to be scourged by the tyranny of the heathen. To
restore them, Samson was sent as the Divine champion, and Gaza was the scene of one of his astonishing
exploits, and of that memorable catastrophe in the Temple of Dagon, "in which the dead whom he slew
at his death, were more than they which he slew in his life."4 Gaza was finally subdued by David, and
formed the border of Solomon's kingdom.
Its history next became mingled with those of the great military nations which arose in the west of
Asia. To Egypt, Gaza was the key of Palestine and Syria. It was thus seized by one of the Pharaohs,
in the time of Jeremiah. Cambyses, on his invasion of Egypt, made it the depository of his treasure.
On Alexander's march into Asia, its position attracted the eye of the great conqueror. It cost him a
five months' siege; and his wrath at the obstinate bravery of its defenders, gave rise to one of those
desperate scenes of cruelty, so frequent in ancient warfare, yet so rare in the victories of that most
splendid of all masters of the sword.5 The inhabitants were massacred, and their places filled up by
strangers. It noiv contains about fifteen thousand people, of whom about five hundred are Christians.
The inhabitants still refer to Samson's carrying away the gates, nay boldly point out the spot from which
they were taken; and the small domed building on the right in the Engraving, marks the spot to which
he is supposed to have borne them.6
1 G. Robinson's Travels.
2 Roberts's Journal. Kinnear, 209.
Arrian, Exp. Alex. ii. 27.
3 Genesis x. 19.
6 Roberts's Journal.
4 Judges xvi.
lp«*