Antioch

Ruins of a Greek city, near the modern city of the same name, Antakya; a prehistoric settlement called Meroe was located at what was later the eastern suburb of ancient Antioch. Antioch itself was established as a Greek city ca. 300 BCE by Seleucus I; quickly became principal Greek outpost in Asia. Was the Early Christian base of St. Paul ca. 47-55 CE; part of Arab caliphate from 637; returned to Byzantine Empire 969; then ruled by Seljuq Turks (1084), Crusaders (1098), and Mamluks (1268); has been repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes, and rebuilt.