Dog River   

The mouth of one of the shortest and best-known rivers in Lebanon, the Dog River is located between Beirut and Jounieh. The Romans had called the river Lycus, and the Arabs dubbed it "Dog River" because of the howling winds that resound in the gorges. The real peculiarity of the Dog River, however, is the fact that armies and condottieri of the past that traveled the ancient roads parallel to the river left clear signs of their passage with markers and inscriptions on the rocky walls. There are 19, not always easy to read inscriptions one on the right bank dates from the VI century BC and Nebuchadrezzar II. The oldest stone dates from the XIII century BC and commemorates the passage of the pharaoh Ramses II. The most recent is shaped like an obelisk and celebrates of the French-Allied troops in 1942. In between, Assyrian, Greek, Latin, Arabian, English, and French inscriptions offer an unusual and fascinating glimpse into Lebanon's history.