Talk:Al-Bira, Baysan

le Strange -quote
I have a problem with the le Strange -quote: "Little is know about it in early Islamic period, but Yaqut al-Hamawi and Abu al-Fida mentioned al-Bira's strong fortress and vast lands.(Mu'jam Al-Buldan, cited in le Strange, 1890, p.423. Also quoted in Khalidi, 1992, p. 45)" Now, on p.423, there are three different "Al-Birah"s mentioned. Khalidi is quoting no. 2, which is described as follows: "A town near Sumaisat, between Halab and the Greek fortresses. It has a strong castle, with broad lands".

BUT: "Halab" is the normal name for Aleppo, and the name "Sumaisat" I only find in Jund Qinnasrin...which is in the northern Syria area with Aleppo. Is it not a mistake to place this in Baysan?

The no 1 "Al-Birah " is described as being between Nablus and Jerusalem-->al-Bireh, on the West Bank. And "al-Bireh" no 3 is located on the Euphrates ---> definitely not included in Wikiproject:Palestine.....Cheers, Huldra (talk) 18:34, 22 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree there is a problem. Le Strange (p539) says Samaisat = Samosata, which is now Samsat, Turkey on the Euphrates.   Both  Samaisat and Halab appear on Le Strange's map (see your mail box for a readable scan) but al-Birah does not. I think we should remove this text from the article. Zerotalk 02:10, 23 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Ok, I have removed it. Btw; I have a hard-copy of le Strange (1890-edition)-with the map by p14-15..(I bought it on abebooks a few years ago before it was available on the net)..but thanks, anyway;), cheers, Huldra (talk) 02:48, 23 April 2010 (UTC) PS: I´m really not very good at using maps..I really should spend more time on them..