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Suweida
Arabic: 'as-suwayda'
Other spellings: As-Suwayda, Es-Suweida, Sweida
Town in southern Syria with 90,000 inhabitants (2004 estimate), at the foot of the Druze Mountains.
Suweida is the administrative and commercial centre for a sparsely populated region, which has limited agriculture.
Most of Suweida's Roman buildings were destroyed by Ottoman troops in the early 20the century, but a Roman gate has been reconstructed, and to some extent also a small theatre.
HISTORY
1st century BCE: Probably founded by the Nabateans.
1st century CE: Comes under Roman control.
5th century: A Christian bishopric is located to Suweida.
Early 20th century: Ottoman troops dismantle Suweida's historical buildings to build barracks.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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