Homs
/hɒmz/noun
A city in western Syria, historically known as Emesa.
Did you know?Homs was ancient Emesa, where the Roman emperor Elagabalus served as high priest of the local sun god Elagabal before becoming emperor.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Ἔμεσα (Emesa)
“The ancient city known in Greek sources as Emesa.”
Roman Period
Latin
Emesa
“The Roman name for the Syrian city and its surrounding kingdom.”
3rd Century CE
Latin
Elagabalus
“The name associated with Emesa’s solar deity and later the Roman emperor who had served as its priest.”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
Ḥimṣ (حمص)
“The Arabic name of the city.”
Modern English
English
Homs
“The conventional English form of the Syrian city’s name.”