an ancient city, and one of the five fiefdoms or principalities of the Philistines; situated on the Mediterranean, 43 miles to the south-west of Jerusalem (Antonine), between Azotus to the north and Gaza to the south. The birth-place of Herod the Great, thence surnamed Ascalonitis (Stephanus). Famous for its shellfish, which take name from this town (Strabo, Pliny). Now Scalon. E. Long. 34°30'. Lat. 31°30'.