a chief city of the Edomites, 80 miles N.E. of Jerusalem, and known to the Greeks and Romans under the name of Bostra. It was 24 miles to the south of Edrei, one of the capitals of Bashan. Under Alexander Severus it became the seat of a Roman colony. Till the seventeenth century it was much frequented by caravans of pilgrims on their way to Mecca, who found in it abundant supplies of water. In the town itself, which is now little more than a heap of ruins, there is still in good preservation a reservoir, 190 paces in length, 153 in breadth, and 20 feet in depth, with walls 7 feet in thickness. Immediately beyond the walls of the city is a strong castle, built by the Saracens, which is still found of use to defend the few remaining inhabitants from the incursions of Bedouin marauders.