Ashkelon

Ancient city in Israel, one of the five chief cities of the Philistines, and centre of worship of the Philistine fish-god, Dagon. It was the birthplace of Herod the Great, who did much to beautify it.

During the Crusades, Ashkelon suffered many vicissitudes; in 1099 the Crusaders gained a victory outside its walls. In 1153 it was captured by the caliphs from Baldwin III, King of Jerusalem. Taken by Saladin 1187, it later fell into the hands of Richard the Lion-Heart. Its fortifications were finally destroyed by the Baibars in 1270; Hellenistic and Roman ruins remain.

From Ashkelon is derived the name of the eschalot or shallot, a kind of onion originally grown in the district. Modern Ashkelon, Ashdod is a beautiful coastal resort set in a natural sub-tropical landscape.