'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎416] (497/905)

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ruins of balis.
[CHAP. XVIII.
during his halt after the march from the river Chalus. 1 The
distance from the Baluk Su, following for a time the Chalus
and the plain of Aleppo, the easiest route for an army is,
including the upper part of Dhahab, between 70 and 80 miles,
which might, 2 and probably did, require part of the 5th day.
Ruined castles. Twenty-four miles E.S.E. of the ruins just mentioned,
amidst chalk hills and dry valleys, are the mosques, Ziarats,
and other ruins of Balis, which extend for a distance of more
than two miles, parallel to, and about half a mile from, the
bend made at this place by the river Euphrates. The prin
cipal buildings are two small castles, apparently of Roman
architecture, with a wall 12 feet thick; also the remains of a
ditch, some Saracenic arches, and a remarkably fine octagonal
tower of three stories, 3 rising from a square base to the height
of 75 feet, and having an interior staircase. There are be
sides some vestiges of the port or landing-place, at a spot
where, at one time, the river washed the northern side of the
Barbalissus of the Peutingerian tables; the Balis and port of
the Syrians ; 4 and probably the Baalitz or P'thora of Baalim ; 5
which is 53 miles from Aleppo, and the same distance from
Kinnisrin.
Ford of ai About 36 miles below Balis, following the course of the
Hammim. ^ ^ ^ ^ a | )out s j x m j] es l ower jg ^
ford of Al Hammam, by which at the low season the river
Euphrates may be crossed, but with some difficulty, the water
being up to the breast. Traces of a road leading towards Sura,
and on each side of the river the remains of a stone embankment,
suited for a floating bridge, mark the site of the Turmeda of the
Syrians, according to Stephanus, the Tiphsah of the Hebrews, 7
1 Anabasis, lib. I.
It would be necessary either to pass the Koweik several times, or lengthen
the march considerably, by following its windings.
6 See Plate No - 4 Abu-l-fedd, MS. translation, by M. Rassam.
IS^— of Tiidela, translated by A. Asher, vol. I., pp. 88, 89. London,
6 Mentioned as a town of Palmyrene, Plin., lib. V., chap. XXVI., and
according to the tables, 102 miles from the capital.
t J \ Kin S*' T cha P- iv-, v. 24, and 2 Kings, chap, xv., v. 16 j Jos. Ant.
XA.. 9 ciuip, XI.