10000 Pounds 1993, Lebanon
| in Krause book | Number: 70 |
| Years of issue: | 1993 |
| Edition: | 54 870 274 |
| Signatures: | Mahfouz Skayneh, Michel El Khoury |
| Serie: | 1988 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1993 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 157 x 67 |
| Printer: | TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London |
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Description
Watermark:
Element of the architecture of the ancient ruins (Triumphal Arch complex), in Tyre - the image of the Sun God.
Avers:
The Triumphal Arch and the Roman road with the colonnade in Tire (Sur), Lebanon.
Sur or Tire is the fourth largest city in Lebanon and one of its largest seaports. The city is located 80 km. south of Beirut. Sur was founded in 2750 BC on the coast and two small islands. Under the reign of King Hiram in the tenth century BC. both islands were united. Starting from the IX century BC, when the Phoenicians came here, the city began to be called Tire. He was one of the most significant Mediterranean cities of Phenicia, from where the Phoenician troops were sent to sea trips, and became famous for the purple paint produced here. Purple was obtained from the pigment of rare mollusks. The paint was unique and very expensive, therefore it became a sign of wealth. In 332 BC. The army of Alexander the Great approached Tire. All the locals moved to the island part of the city, where they held the defense for 7 months. Then Alexander ordered to make a mound from the mainland to the island part of the city, after which Tire fell. Nowadays Sur is located on an artificial cape that goes into the sea.
The main historical sights of the city are concentrated in two archaeological zones: the western one - Ancient city, which in ancient times was located on the island, and the east - the region of El Bass, which was previously the mainland.
The area of El Bass covers the mainland of the ancient city. Most of the buildings here date back to the II-VI centuries AD. From the main entrance begins the Byzantine road, paved with limestone slabs. At the very beginning you will see the remains of a necropolis with marble sarcophagi decorated with bas-reliefs, a little further away - a Roman columbarium (a room for storing urns with the ashes of the deceased), a Byzantine chapel of the VI century AD. and a tomb with a preserved floor mosaic depicting Christian symbols.
The Byzantine road ends at a 20-meters three-span triumphal arch, which in Roman times adorned the entrance to the city. Behind the arch begins the Roman road, surrounded by a colonnade. The road is covered with limestone blocks, on which there are traces of chariots passing here in ancient times. Not far from here you can see the remains of an aqueduct and a large fountain.
South of the Roman road is the main attraction of the archaeological zone of El Bass - the Roman hippodrome. This is the biggest race track of ancient times: it had a length of 480 meters, a width of 160 meters, and accommodated 30 thousand spectators. The chariot races continued here for several days every 30 minutes. In the center of the hippodrome stands the church of the Crusaders, which was built on the site of the Byzantine church.
Denominations in numerals are in top right and lower left corners. In words - centered, at the bottom.
Revers:
On left side are the Phoenician figurines from the Temple of Obelisks at Byblos, Lebanon, Gilded bronze (VII-VIII BCE).
centered is the Fort of the Crusaders in Byblos, Lebanon.
The ancient city of Byblos in Lebanon is a real treasury of archaeological monuments of various historical eras. Special attention of tourists deserves a fortress, built here by knights-crusaders.
At the end of the first crusade on the holy land, four states of the Crusaders were founded. One of them was the county of Tripoli, in whose territory Byblos was located. The city was taken by Count Raymond of Toulouse in 1103.
After that, on the hill, above the city, in place of the ancient Egyptian buildings of the ninth century, a fortress begins to be built. The material for the construction is limestone from local quarries, as well as remnants of Phoenician and Roman structures. In 1190 the city was taken by Saladin, and the fortress was destroyed. After nine years, the crusaders again occupy the city and rebuild the castle. In the future, the fortress is repeatedly rebuilt. It is interesting that even at the beginning of the 20th century it was still used for its intended purpose as a military garrison.
Today the castle is open for tourists. From its upper platform you can see the Byblos Archaeological Museum.
Denominations in numerals are in top right and lower left corners, in words - at the bottom.
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