Byblos

Byblos, an ancient city of Phœnicia, now a village of 600 inhabitants, called Jubeil, is situated on a shallow bay at the base of the lower range of the Libann, about half-way between Tripoli and Beyront. Byblos was famous as the birthplace of Adonis or Tammuz, of whose worship it became the centre; and many devotees were also attracted to the splendid temple of Astarte erected here. The name given to the town by the Jews was Gebal, and its inhabitants are noticed in the Scriptures as stone-squarers and calkers of ships. A ruined wall belonging apparently to the era of the Crusades surrounds the town, and Roman and earlier remains are still visible.