Raphia

RAPHIA, a famous City upon the Mediterranean Sea, between Gaza and Rhinocorura. I do not find its Name in the Books of the Old Testament, which is pretty 1 Chron. xx. 6.remarkable, except it be the City of Gath, which belong’d to the Rephaim; Jos. Antiq. l. 13. c.21. Jos. Antiq. l. 14. c. 10. Joseph. de Bello, l. 5. c. 14. Polyb. hist. l. 5. Reland. Palæst. l. 3. p. 967.from whence perhaps it might have its Name Raphia or Rapheia. Gath could not be far from thence. Raphia is famous for the Victory that Philopator King of Egypt obtain’d here, over Antiochus the Great, King of Syria.¹ Josephus says, that Raphia was taken by King Alexander Janneus, and that having been ruin’d in the Wars, it was repair’d by Gabinius. The same Josephus and Polybius put Raphia as the first City of Syria, that is met with on the Road from Egypt. There are found some antient Medals that have been struck at Raphia, and some Bishops of this City are found in the Lists of the Eastern Councils.

Read this article in its place on the printed pages