It will be remembered that Moscow was in the olden time as celebrated for the excellence of its steel weapons, and especially for the temper of its sword blades, as were Toledo and damascus.
"Due North or Glimpses of Scandinavia and Russia"
Maturin M. Ballou
But although the kingdom of the Hittites had fallen two centuries before Tiglath Pilesar crossed the Euphrates, the name still clung to this region, as the inscriptions of Tiglath Pilesar and his successors prove, more especially to the region from Hamath and damascus as far as Lebanon.
"The History of Antiquity, Vol. II (of VI)"
Max Duncker
Garrisons were put in the strong places; even damascus is said to have received a garrison of Israelites.
"The History of Antiquity, Vol. II (of VI)"
Max Duncker