LATAKIA, a seaport of Syria opposite the island of Cyprus, pop. about 22,000 (12,000 Muslims). The ancient Phoenician name was Ramitha and it received the name Laodicea from Seleucus Nicator with the addition ad mare to distinguish it from five others. In the Roman period it was favoured by Caesar and took the name Julia. The town received the jus italicum from Severus. In Christian times it became the see of a bishop. In the period of the crusades it was a wealthy city, fell to Tancred (1102) and was recaptured by Saladin (1188). A Christian settle ment here which had been granted certain privileges was driven forth by Sultan Kalafm. Its fortunes gradually receding were at a low ebb in the i6th century, but trade (notably tobacco) brought a new revival of prosperity in the following century. It has suffered much damage from earthquakes (II7o, 1287, 1822).
In classical times its slopes were covered with vines. It had, for those times, a good harbour and the native wine was much exported. On its looms a celebrated kind of linen was manufac
tured and cloaks and cloths from Laodicea always commanded a good price. The chief object of archaeological interest is a tri umphal arch probably of the time of Septimius Severus. Four Corinthian pillars with entablature perhaps belonged to the portico of a temple. The chief modern industry is the cultivation of the well-known Latakia tobacco and other industries include silk, oil, poultry and sponge-fishing. Formerly it produced a beautiful type of rug.
On the French occupation of the country under the League of Nations mandate the littoral north of Lebanon was made into a territory of the `Alawiyin with Latakia as centre of administra tion (192o) and later erected into a State (1922). A new road has been constructed since the war from Latakia to Tripoli.
(E. Ro.)