Ἄβιλα | |
  Shown within Syria | |
| Alternative name | Ἄβιλα ἐπικαλουμένη Λυσανίου |
|---|---|
| Location | Syria |
| Region | Rif Dimashq Governorate |
| Coordinates | 33°37′36″N 36°06′21″E / 33.626667°N 36.105833°E |
Abila Lysaniou or Abila Lysaniae or Abila (Ancient Greek: Ἄβιλα ἐπικαλουμένη Λυσανίου or Ἄβιλα)[1] was an ancient city, on the Abana River and capital of ancient Abilene, Coele-Syria. The site is currently that of the village of Souq Wadi Barada (called Abil-es-Suk by early Arab geographers), circa 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Damascus, Syria. It has also been identified as the village of Abil just south of Homs in central Syria. The city's surname is derived from Lysanias, a governor of the region.
The site contains ruins of a temple, aqueducts, and other remains, and inscriptions,[2] on the banks of the river.[3] Though the names Abel and Abila differ in derivation and in meaning, their similarity has given rise to the tradition that this was the place of Abel's burial.[3] The city is mentioned in the New Testament (Luke 3:1). According to Josephus, Abilene was a separate Iturean kingdom until AD 37, when it was granted by Caligula to Agrippa I; in 52 Claudius granted it to Agrippa II.[3]
William Smith cites a dissertation in the Transactions of the Academy of Belles Lettres showing that this Abila is the same with Leucas on the river Chrysorrhoas, which at one period assumed the name of Claudiopolis, as shown by some coins described by Joseph Hilarius Eckhel.[1]
