Androna, also known as al-Andarin (Arabic: الأندرين), is a Byzantine site spread over a vast area at the edges of the semi-desert, about 25 kilometers beyond the more well-known Byzantine site of Qasr Ibn Wardan.[2]

Androna
Arabic: الأندرين
Remains of a large church from west of Androna
Androna is located in Syria
Androna
Shown within Syria
Alternative nameAl-Andarin
LocationSyria
RegionAleppo Governorate
Coordinates35°32′00″N 37°21′39″E / 35.533248°N 37.360827°E / 35.533248; 37.360827
Site notes
Excavation dates1905 – ongoing
ArchaeologistsH.C. Butler (1905)
R. Mouterde, A. Poidebard (1930)
Marges Arides
Syrian Department of Antiquities director Dr. R. Ugdeh
University of Heidelberg director Prof. C. Strube
University of Oxford director Dr. Marlia Mango[1]

History

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Androna was built as a defense line against nomadic skirmishes in the Syrian Desert. The fortified city contains many churches, palaces and baths;[3] and was famous for its vineyards and high-quality wine in which it was mentioned by Amr ibn Kulthum in his ode.[4]

The following is the opening verse of his ode:

References

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  1. ^ "Androna / Andarin : The Oxford Project". Archived from the original on 2022-07-09. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  2. ^ "al-Andarin".
  3. ^ "Androna, Syria – The Byzantine Bath". Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
  4. ^ "Al-Andareen – A gate into Syrian culture, art and archaeology". Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-02-18.