Arwad Syria: Ancient Island City Of The Mediterranean Explored

Arwad, Syria, classical Aradus, is the only inhabited island in Syria — 0.2 km2 located 3 km from Tartus, ancient Tortosa, Syria’s second-largest port. Continuously inhabited since at least the 3rd millennium BC and mentioned in the Royal Palace of Ebla archives and Annals of Thutmose III 1472 BC at Karnak as jrtw, the barren rock 800 m by 500 m became a fortified Phoenician city with its own dynasty, coinage, and hegemony from the Orontes mouth to northern Lebanon.

Phoenician Hegemony And Water From The Sea

The original Phoenician city was named Arwad, romanized ʾrwd, located on an island named ʾynk. It was hellenized as Arados, latinized as Aradus, and in Arabic became Arwad. Under Seleucid Empire, Antiochus I renamed it Antioch after himself distinguished as Antioch in Pieria. Its site was also known as Ruad Island and Ile Rouad under French occupation 1916 to 1945.

Island was settled in early 2nd millennium BC by Phoenicians, located some 50 kilometres north of Tripoli. Barren rock covered with fortifications and houses several stories in height, surrounded by massive wall, artificial harbor constructed on east toward mainland. It developed into trading city as did most Phoenician cities on coast. It had powerful navy, ships mentioned in monuments of Egypt and Assyria. In Bible, an Arvad is noted as forefather of Arvadites, a Canaanite people. Phoenicians collected rain water in cisterns and shipped fresh water to island, eventually discovering undersea freshwater spring nearby — a technical feat that allowed dense habitation without mainland supply.

City seems to have had hegemony over northern Phoenician cities from mouth of Orontes to northern limits of Lebanon, something like that of Sidon in south. It brought under its authority neighboring mainland cities such as Marat present-day Amrit and Sumur some kilometers to south. It had own local dynasty and coinage, some names of kings recovered. Under clear skies, it is possible to spot Arwad and outline of Turkish hills and mountains in Hatay from elevated observation points in Northern Mount Lebanon, such as Bsharri district.

From Thutmose To Templars: Empire After Empire

Thutmose III took it in campaign in north Syria 1472 BC, noticed in campaigns of Ramesses II early 13th century BC. Also mentioned in Amarna letters as being in league with Amorites in attacks on Egyptian possessions in Syria. About 1200 BC or little later, sacked by invaders from Asia Minor or islands as were most cities on coast, but recovered when driven back.

Maritime importance indicated by Assyrian kings. Tiglath-pileser I circa 1020 BC boasts he sailed in ships of Arwad. Ashurnasirpal II circa 876 BC made it tributary, but it revolted and 200 men of Arwad mentioned among allies of Hadadezer of Aram Damascus at Battle of Qarqar when all Syria seems in league against Shalmaneser III circa 854 BC. At this time king was Mattan Baal. Afterward tributary to Tiglath-pileser III and Sennacherib under king Abd-Ilihit circa 701 BC. Ashurbanipal circa 664 BC compelled king Yakinlu to submit and send daughter to royal harem. Under Persians, Arwad allowed to unite in confederation with Sidon and Tyre with common council at Tripolis. Book of Ezekiel refers to its seamen and soldiers in service of Tyre.

When Alexander invaded Syria in 332 BC, king Gerostratus and son Straton submitted without resistance and sent navy to support Siege of Tyre. Seems to have received favor of Seleucid kings and enjoyed right of asylum for political refugees. Mentioned in rescript from Rome about 138 BC in connection with other cities to show favor to Jews, indicating considerable importance. In Roman times, Arwad fiercely resisted Mark Antony when he came to Syria to find money. When city refused to cooperate, besieged in 38 BC then surrendered which marked end of independence in 34–35 BC. Later became Christian bishopric under Constantine, Chalcedonian bishop of Aradus and Antaradus, later united to Famagusta 1295, now titular see.

During later part of 13th century, in time of Crusades, island of Ruad was used as bridgehead or staging area by Crusaders. It was last piece of land Crusaders maintained in Holy Land. After Fall of Acre 1291, Kingdom relocated to Cyprus. In early 1300, force approximately 600 men 300 under Amalric of Lusignan son of Hugh III of Cyprus and contingents from Templars and Hospitallers ferried from Cyprus to Ruad to launch raids on Tortosa while awaiting Mongol leader Ghazan. Mongols arrived Feb 1301 with 60,000, leader Kutluqa stationed 20,000 horsemen in Jordan Valley to protect Damascus. When Mongols withdrew, Mamluks landed fleet, engaging Templars under Marshal Barthélemy de Quincy — 120 knights, 500 bowmen and 400 Syrian helpers — culminating with Fall of Ruad Sept 26 1302 after promise of safe conduct not honored: bowmen and Syrian helpers killed, Templar knights sent to Cairo prisons. Pope Clement V formally awarded ownership to Knights Templar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Arwad Located In The Mediterranean?

An island 3 km SW of Tartus ancient Antaradus, Syria’s second-largest port, 0.2 km2 total area, only inhabited island in Syria, administrative center of Arwad Subdistrict. Satellite image shows Tartus on Syrian coast to east. Visible from Northern Mount Lebanon Bsharri on clear days with Hatay outline.

How Old Is Arwad As An Inhabited Island?

Continuously inhabited since at least 3rd millennium BC, mentioned in Ebla Royal Palace archives and Alalakh, in Annals of Thutmose III at Karnak as jrtw. Settled early 2nd millennium BC by Phoenicians as barren rock 800 m by 500 m with massive wall and artificial harbor east toward mainland.

Why Was Arwad Important In Phoenician Times?

Powerful navy mentioned in Egypt and Assyria, trading city with hegemony over northern Phoenician cities from Orontes to Lebanon, similar to Sidon in south, controlled Marat Amrit and Sumur mainland, own dynasty and coinage, collected rain in cisterns and shipped water, discovered undersea freshwater spring.

What Happened To Arwad Under Empires?

Taken by Thutmose III 1472 BC, Ramesses II 13th century, Amarna league with Amorites, sacked around 1200 BC, sailed by Tiglath-pileser I 1020 BC, tributary to Ashurnasirpal II 876 BC, 200 men at Qarqar against Shalmaneser III 854 BC under Mattan Baal, to Sennacherib 701 BC, Ashurbanipal 664 BC Yakinlu, confederation with Sidon Tyre under Persians, submitted to Alexander 332 BC, free city 259 BC, resisted Mark Antony 38 BC surrender 34-35 BC.

What Remains Of Ancient Arwad Today?

Ancient Phoenician era walls surrounding island, fortress of Arwad, cisterns, artificial harbor, fragment of 4th-century BC stele in Louvre, Crusader bridgehead last held after 1291, Fall of Ruad Sept 26 1302 with 120 knights, French navy occupation 1 Sept 1915 Admiral Louis Dartige du Fournet with Jauréguiberry Jeanne d’Arc D’Estrées, Mandate prison graffiti, fishing town 4403 population 2004, renovation plans May 2016.

Arwad endures because it never needed hinterland to matter. A rock 800 meters long built houses several stories high, walled, with harbor facing mainland, cisterns catching rain and a spring beneath the sea, it taught the Mediterranean that sovereignty could be 0.2 square kilometers if that square commanded the Orontes valley. From Ebla tablets to Templar surrender, the island’s lesson remains: power at sea is less about size than about position held without interruption.