SIDON, (anc. geog.), a city of Phœnicia in Asia, famous in Scripture for its riches, arising from the extensive commerce carried on by its inhabitants. Heavy judgments were denounced against the Sidonians on account of their wickedness, which were accomplished in the time of Ochus king of Persia: for that monarch having come against them with an army on account of their rebellion, the city was betrayed by its king; upon which the wretched inhabitants were seized with such despair, that they set fire to their houses, and 40,000, with their wives and children, perished in the flames.