Ancient city of Nablus

Nablus is an Arab city in Central Palestine, in a pass between Mount Ebal to the north and Mount Gerizim to the south. The city stands over a huge reservoir of natural spring water and fountains.

Historical documents indicate that Nablus was established for the first time over a hill named as Tal Balata, located at the eastern entrance of Nablus near Balata village. Archaeological excavations carried out by foreign missions and archaeologists in Tel Balata site during periods 1911-1914, 1924-1927, and 1956 -1967, proved that Nablus was founded around 2500 BC by the Canaanite tribes who called it Shekem, which is likely originated from a Canaanite word meaning the high city, or shoulder, as it is located on the shoulder of Mount Sinai, or "Gerizim".

During the Canaanite time, Shakim City noticeably boomed which irritated the Romans who destroyed it, in addition to nine other cities, on the day they occupied the Levant. These cities were known during the Roman history as "Deka Paul" meaning the ten cities.

The town was mentioned in ancient Egyptian writings from the period 14th to 18th century before the common era. In the Hebrew scriptures, it is mentioned that Abraham dwelled near the town and that Jacob purchased land for agricultural purposes.

In the year 1550 BC, Shekem encountered brutal devastation by Egyptian Pharaohs, who expelled Hyksos from Egypt and tracked them to Palestine, where they vandalized Nablus. Later, and around the 4th BC, Shekem was rebuilt and revived by Canaanites under the mandate leader Labaiue, when the reign of Canaanites came to an end.

Since the 13th century BC, Shekem became a fragile entity and was subject to series of invasions by different strangers and tribes such as, Hebrews, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Greeks, until it was conquered by Romans in 63 BC.

The Romans founded a new town in AD 72 for veteran legionaries to settle, after they destroyed the original town. It was named Flavia Neapolis in honor of the Emperor Flavius Vespasian. The word that means the new city, and thereafter was named Nablus.

During the fourth century, Nablus was part of the Palestina Prima province. It flourished during the Byzantine period and became an episcopal seat in the fourth century.

The city of Nablus saw bloody battles between the Christians and Samaritans. The first revolt occurred in 482 AD, when the Samaritans took control of Nablus and marched to Caesarea. It was then that Zeno commissioned the building of the church on Mount Gerizim, and the Samaritans were forbidden to visit their sacred mountain.

The city was held by the Crusaders from 1099 until 1187; they called it Naples, and it was briefly the Crusader capital.
Ancient city of Nablus