Visit Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut is now reconstructing and developing itself into a cosmopolitan city after the destruction of the civil war and is well-known for its café culture.
Now thought of as the riviera of the Middle East, Lebanon has witnessed many wars over the centuries and has been ruled by the Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks and Ottomans.
Beirut is now reconstructing and developing itself into a cosmopolitan city after the destruction of the civil war.
Beirut throughout history
According to tablets found in Egypt, Beirut dates back to around the 14th century BC, an era when both Tyre and Sidon (both cities in the south of Lebanon) were more important.
Beirut reached its peak in the Roman period, when under Roman rule a school of law was founded in the 3rd century AD. As a competitor of the law schools in Alexandria, Athens and Caesarea, this allowed Beirut to become an important centre for both learning and commerce.
However an earthquake in the 5th century AD obliterated Beirut and as a result the law school was moved to Sidon, robbing Beirut of much trade and prestige.
