Phasaelis
Phasaelis [1]
( Φασαηλίς , Josephus; Φασηλίς, Ptolemy, 5:16, 7; Phaseli., Pliny, 13:4, 19; 21:5, 11), a city in the plain of the Jordan, built by Herod the Great in honor of his brother Phasaelus (Josephus, Ant. 16:5, 2; 17:8, 1; 18:3, 2; War, 2:9, 1). It is now Tell Fusail, a small hill with ruins at its base. The site is inhabited by a few people who cultivate their gardens. These are irrigated by a brook, the fountain of which is an hour more to the west, hidden as it were under the high cliffs below Daumeh, and under the shade of a dense jungle (see Robinson, Researches, 2:305). Brocardus and Mar. Samedo (Secr. Fidel. Cruc. III, 14:3) identify this little stream, now called Ain Fusail, with the brook Cherith (see Reland, Palaest. page 953; Bachiene, Heil. Geogr. I, 1:126-130).-Van de Velde, Memoir, page 339.
