Ancient Damascus by Wayne T. Pitard is a detailed historical study of the ancient Syrian city-state of Damascus—from its earliest recorded presence through its dramatic fall to the Assyrians in 732 B.C.E. Drawing on archaeology, ancient Near Eastern sources, and biblical material, Pitard reconstructs the political, cultural, and military story of one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Significance:
This 1987 Eisenbrauns edition has become a respected academic resource in Near Eastern studies. Works on pre-Roman Syria are scarce, and detailed monographs on Damascus are even rarer. This volume is widely cited in scholarly research and remains a foundational reference for historians, archaeologists, and biblical scholars studying the Levantine kingdoms. Its focus on the geopolitical relationship between Israel, Aram-Damascus, and Assyria makes it especially valuable for theological study.