Damascus Quote by Angel Sáenz-Badillos
““The inscription of King Mar'alqais , found south of Damascus and dated at 328 CE, is usually said to be the first document in Arabic.””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The First Arabic Document” by Angel Sáenz‑Badillos, 2020
The inscription from 328 CE near Damascus is often considered the earliest known Arabic text, marking the start of recorded Arabic language.
In simple terms: Earliest Arabic writing appears in 4th‑century Syria.
Recognize early Arabic historical roots.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- museum exhibits
- academic research
- language education
- heritage tourism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about early Arabic culture?
- How do we verify the dating of ancient inscriptions?
Other earlier fragments may exist but remain undiscovered.