Syria

Known in Arabic as Badiyat al-Sham after the nomadic bedouin (Badu, hence Badiya) who roam its parts in search of pasture, it is also known as the Greater Badiyat al-Sham (Badiyat al-Sham al-Kubra) because it extends between the desert of al-Nufud on the Arabian peninsula and the Euphratesriver. Badiyat al-Sham covers about two-thirds-about 52,000 square miles (130,000 sq. km)-of the overall area of Syria. It is divided into two parts: the first, in the northeast, is called Badiyat al-Jazira, and the second, in the southeast, is called alShamiyya or Badiyat al-Sham, that is, the Syrian desert. This desert begins at the Syro-Jordanian border, skirts the frontier of settlement toward the north at a line east of Jabal Druze, al-Ghuta oasis of Damascus and its marj (meadow), then up along the Qalamun mountains, then east of al-Jabbul, the finally ends at Meskene on the Euphrates.

The Syrian desert, in turn, is divided into two parts, which differ in their surface structure. The first, a plateau in the southwest, is more elevated than the other part and also much drier. The part to the northeast starts at lower elevation in the south-2,208 feet (673 m)-and ends at 623 feet (190 m) in the north. This part is dry and has dry river channels (wadis) exposed to flooding. These wadis range in length from 93 to 186 miles (150-300 km) and in width from 0.3 to 0.6 miles (0.5 to 1 km). Annual precipitation in the Syrian desert does not exceed 5.85 inches (150 mm).

The few plants and animals of the Syrian desert are of the type that can withstand a subtropical climate. The nomads raise sheep and camels, and they move according to the seasons, from one region to the other across political frontiers seeking pasture. Phosphates, oil, and butane gas have been discovered in this desert, and modern network of roads and railways makes the exploitation of the desert much easier than before.

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Originally he Roman province of Syria had one legion. Over time the member was increased to five. Syria was the most military important military base of the Romans in Asia. It was the hub of the Roman military defence of the eastern frontiers of the Roman Empire which were the theatre of the repeated wars between wars between Rome and the Persian Empire. The governor of Syria was also responsible for co-ordinating the defence of the eastern frontiers and had responsibilities over four legions stationed in the nearby, even more frontline areas: one in the Roman province of Cappadocia, one in Nabataea, in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea (in the west of present day Jordan), , one in the Roman province of Mesopotamia (in northern Iraq) and one in the client kingdom of Lesser Armenia.

In 58 Vologases I of Parthia invade ancient Armenia, which was a client state of Rome. This led to the Roman Parthian War of 58-63. The Romans deployed four legions:

1) The legio VI (sexta) ferrata (sixth ironclad legion), was the first legion based in Syria. It was fist stationed in Samosata an ancient city in Commagene (in present day Turkey). Apart from two spells as a client kingdom, Commagene was part of the Roman province of Syria. After this war with the Persians it was stationed at Bosra, in Nabataea, in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea and in present day southern Syria. It was then moved to Legio, in Syria Palaestina.

2) The legio IV (quarta) scythica (fourth Scythian legion), was also redeployed from the Danube area. It was then stationed at Zeugma an ancient city in Commagene which became part of the Roman province of Syria.

3) The legio XXII (duodecima) fulminata (twelfth legion, armed with lightning). Shortly after this war it was deployed to fight in the Great Jewish Revolt of 66-73. In 70, towards the end of the revolt, the emperor Vespasian stationed this legion at Melitene (in present day eastern Turkey). It was in the Roman province of Cappadocia, on the border of the kingdom of Greater Armenia, which was disputed between the Romans and the Persians.

4) The legio XV (quinta) decima apollinaris (fifteenth apollonian legion) was also redeployed from the Danube area. After this war it was sent to Alexandria but was soon deployed to fight in the Great Jewish Revolt of 66-73. It was sent back to Carnuntum, in the Danube area, where it had been stationed before its deployment in Asia. In 115 it was deployed in Mesopotamia (Iraq) for another war against the Parthian (Persian) Empire. Alter this it was stationed at Satala, in Lesser Armenia, a client kingdom which bordered with the kingdom of Armenia, which was disputed between the Romans and the Persians

The legio III (tertia) gallica (third Gallic legion) was deployed to fight in the Great Jewish Revolt of 66-73. It was then stationed at Raphana, which then was in Syria. Now it is in present day Jordan.

The legio XVI (sexta decima) flavia firma (sixteenth steadfast flavian legion) was created by in 70 with the remains of the XVI Gallica (which had surrendered in the Batavian rebellion). He stationed it at Samosata, in in Commagene (in present day Turkey). Apart from two spells as a client kingdom, Commagene was part of the Roman province of Syria. This was a client kingdom which bordered with the kingdom of Armenia, which was disputed between the Romans and the Persians.

In 197 the emperor Septimius Severus levied three legions and redeployed a fourth one for is his campaign against Parthian (Persian) Empire. One of them was stationed in Italy and the other fought in Asia. They were:

The legio I (prima) parthica (first Parthian legion), which was then stationed at Singara at the northern extremity of Mesopotamia (Iraq). It was moved to Constantina, in south-eastern Turkey, in 363.

The legio III (tertia) parthica (third Parthian legion). It was then stationed at Resaina, in Syria.

The legio III (tertia) Cyrenaica (third Cyrenean legion), which was redeployed from Egypt. It was then garrisoned at Bosra in Nabataea, in the Roman province of Arabia Petraea and in present day southern Syria.

First of all, we need to establish when Jesus was born. Both Matthew and Luke agree that he was born during the reign of King Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE. However, it would be an improbable coincidence for Jesus to have been born in just the last year of Herod's long reign. On this alone, it is rather more likely that he was born earlier than 4 BCE.

A further clue comes from Matthew, who said that Herod was afraid that Jesus would grow up to usurp his throne. First of all, Herod demonstrated a significant lack of concern as to whether his sons succeeded him, so he must have felt that he himself would be overthrown. As he was quite an old man when he died, Matthew seems to suggest that Jesus was born well before this time, when Herod was still young enough to expect to reign for a few more years. So, Matthew seems to place the birth of Jesus quite a few years before 4 BCE.

Luke mentioned a census during the time that Quirinius was governor of Syria. We know that that census took place in 6 CE, long after the death of Herod. There is no record of an earlier census, just as the records show that Quirinius was not governor of Syria as early as 4 BCE.

There is some uncertainty about the names of the various governors before Quirinius, as demonstrated by the fact that some conservative commentators have attempted to show that he could have been governor twice. In any case, since we do not know when Jesus was born, that assertion would not help us, even if it were the case.

In brief, we do not really know when Jesus was born and we do not know who the governor of Syria was at the time. Luke mentions Quirinius, but conflictingly also mentions Herod the Great in Judea.

Answer

None of those (Lebanon was occupied from 1978-2000). -- In other words, all four regions (Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Lebanon, and the West Bank) were occupied.

Clarification on Answer

Yes, I remember when it happened. I remember Israeli armor pushing aside UN personnel to invade and occupy the SOUTHERNpart of Lebanon, but I never heard anything about Israel occupying the entire country of Lebanon. Also, unless I am terribly mistaken, the Gaza Strip was acquired from Egypt in the Six Day War.

Commentary

As noted, Lebanon (as an entirety) was not occupied by Israel whereas the entirety of the Gaza Strip (1967-1993), Golan Heights (1967-Present), and the West Bank (1967-1993) during the specified time periods. (Parts of Gaza were still occupied until 2005 and parts of the West Bank are still occupied presently.) The area of Lebanon occupied was all territory within 20 miles of the Israeli border or the Lebanese-Golan Border.