SIDON. 
Sidon, a name familiar to all the readers of ancient history, and renewed in our recollections 
by the brilliant Syrian campaign of 1841, is one of the oldest cities in the world; and has 
been distinguished for fts commerce, its opulence, and its vicissitudes, from almost the 
earliest period of its existence. It is named in the Pentateuch, 1 and by Homer. 2 In 
the division of Palestine it was allotted to Asher, 3 but was never possessed. In the 
general invasion of Phoenicia by Shalmaneser (b.c. 720), it was conquered; and sank 
into a tributary to the successive empires of Assyria and Persia. Tyre, its younger rival, 
resisted and repulsed the invader; perhaps not more from its insular position, than its 
superior wealth, population, and the public spirit resulting from both. Joining the general 
revolt of Phoenicia against Artaxerxes Ochus (b.c. 350), it was captured and destroyed by 
the conqueror. But its situation made it powerful once more; it was rapidly rebuilt, 
and on the invasion of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great, probably warned 
by example, it received him with open gates, and thus escaped the ruin which befell its 
haughtier and more powerful neighbour. Tyre. After the death of that most illustrious of 
Pagan conquerors, Sidon became alternately the prey of the Kings of Egypt and Syria, 
until they, too, sank into the all-absorbing dominion of Rome. Yet the City remained 
distinguished, at once for Oriental indulgence and Western activity. 
But another and still more memorable period of its existence was to come. Our Lord 
himself trod the regions of Tyre and Sidon. 4 Christianity took root there so early as the 
first preaching of the Apostles; and St. Paul, on his way to Rome, found converts, and 
apparently a church. 5 A Bishopric certainly existed in the territory of Sidon at an early 
period, though the first of its Bishops on record was Theodoras, who was present at the 
Council of Nice (a.d. 325). 
The Age of the Crusades was destined to exhibit a general change in maritime Syria. 
The Crusaders commenced their operations against Jerusalem from the north, and the 
general march from Antioch (a.d. 1099) followed nearly the line of the sea-shore. In the 
first instance the Cities were passed by, and the march was directed full upon the grand 
object of the invasion. But the position of Sidon rendered its possession essential, and it 
sustained two attacks from Baldwin, the new monarch of Jerusalem (a.d. 1107 and 1108). 
In the first it bought off, and in the second it repulsed, the Crusaders. But it was attacked 
a third time (a.d. 1111), and captured, after a six weeks’ siege. 
Sidon enjoyed comparative security under its Christian governors, until towards the 
close of the century. But the banner of the Kingdom of Jerusalem had long been 
shattered, and after the decisive battle of Hattim, the City opened its gates to Saladin 
' Gen. x. 19. 2 Iliad, vi. 289. Odyss. xv. 415 ; xvii. 424. 
3 Josh. xix. 28. Judges, i. 31. * Matt. xv. 21. Mark, vii. 24. 5 Acts, xxvii. 3. 
