Damascus is located in the Southwest Syria and is the capital, with approximately 1.7 million residents, and about 2.7 million in the outskirts and larger metropolitan area. Carbon dating suggests that the first settlements in Damascus occurred 7000-6000 BC, over 9000 years ago. On the periphery of Damascus human occupation could have begun in 9000 BC. The true Damascus with a large population inside its walls was not around until 2000 BC.

On this day March 24, in 1401, Damascus is sacked by Timur. Timur sought to restore the Mongolian empire, and his warfare caused the death of over 17 million people. His armies were feared throughout the entire Asia.

Timur comes from the word Temür, which means Iron, but his adversaries poked fun at him for being lame due to a foot injury sustained in battle. Timur did not take name calling well, in fact it only spurred him even more to conquer and control. Timur would eventually withdraw from Damascus, but not without destroying much of the city. Timur took all the artisans, as he was a patron of the arts, and many men and women as slaves. Timur slaughtered many, piling their heads by a northeastern wall. Since then a city square has been named after those that were killed and is called the tower of heads.