ancient Chrysorrhoas
River, western Syria.
It flows about 45 mi (72 km) from the Anti-Lebanon Mountains past Damascus . Throughout history, channels have been cut at different levels parallel to the main branch of the river to divert its flow. The channels (of Nabataean, Aramaean, and, especially, Roman origin) fan out as they reach Damascus, irrigating a large area. This system created the site of Damascus, an artificial oasis of extreme fertility.