ASKELON, a City in the land of the Philistines, situated between Azoth and Gaza, upon the coast of the Mediterranean. It was five hundred and twenty furlongs distant from Jerusalem1. The Tribe of Judah, after the death of Joshua, Judges i. 18.took the City of Askelon, which was one of the five Governments belonging to the Philistines. The Ancients speak with great approbation of the Shalot, which takes its name from Askelon2. There is some mention also of the Wine of Askelon, and the Cypress Tree, a shrub that was very much esteemed, and was very common in that place. Origen3 takes notice of Wells that were to be seen at Askelon, which were said to have been dug by Abraham and Isaac. Askelon is often mentioned in the sacred Writings. This place subsists still at this day, but is very inconsiderable. There was a pond near Askelon filled with fish, consecrated to the Goddess Derceto, which the people of the Country never ventured to eat of, no more than of the Pigeons which were consecrated to the same Deity4.
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