BARSAMPSE
BARSAMPSE (
Βαρσάμψη), a place mentioned by Ptolemy (
5.18.5.) as being on the E. bank of the Euphrates. Lat. 36° 15′, long. 72° 20′. Ritter (
Erdkunde, vol. x. p. 1000) fixes its position S.E. of Betham Maria at the spot where the Euphrates makes a bend to the W. opposite to the caves and ruins of
El Alcater. The name is Syrian, and has been identified as Beth-Shemesh, or Temple of the Sun.
[
E.B.J]