Damascus, first settled in the 2nd millennium B.C., is the capital of modern Syria. Around 1260 B.C. the city and region was the battleground for a war between the Hittites and the Egyptians. At the end of the war Damascus was put under the control of Egypt's Pharaoh. Damascus was also conquered by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. After the death of Alexander the city became the site of the struggle between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires. In 64 B.C. the Roman general Pompey annexed the western part of Syria which included Damascus. The Romans soon occupied the city and incorporated it into a league of ten cities known as the Decapolis. Before his conversion the Apostle Paul actively persecuted those who believed Jesus was the Messiah. After the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6-7) Paul obtained written permission from the High Priest (Sanhedrim) to search for believers in the synagogues of Damascus. Paul was also given authority to arrest any believers found in the synagogues and bring them to Jerusalem for trial and punishment. (Acts 9:1-2) On his way Damascus Paul sees a bright light from heaven surround him, hears the voice of Jesus who calls him to repent, and is struck blind. He is led into Damascus by his traveling companions. Three days later Jesus inspires a disciple named Ananias to visit Paul and heal him of his blindness. After he is healed Paul is baptized and receives God's Holy Spirit. Paul immediately starts to preach the gospel in Damascus. His incredible ability to prove Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) so angers the Jews in the city that they conspire to kill him (Acts 9:20-23). Paul soon learns of the death threat against him. Believers in Damascus who fear for Paul's life help him escape the city, at night, by putting him in a basket and lowering him down the outside part of a city gate. The Bab Kisan (The Kisan Gate), built during the Roman era, is believed to be the gate used to help Paul flee the city. After leaving Damascus Paul travels to Arabia where, for three years, he is personally taught by Jesus (Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18). Sources: Wikipedia | 
