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The history of Beirut, both long and devastating, offers a glimpse at the the true character of the city. The liberalism and social acceptance associated with Beirut has been maintained even during periods of near complete destruction. Today, as new archeological sites are being excavated, the complicated history of Beirut is being revealed.The original settlement of Beirut, first recorded by the Egyptians in the second millennium B.C.E., was located in the valley between the two hills. The original location of Beirut offered fertile, flat land, access to the sea for trading and food, and an the presence of Roman Baths in Beirutan underground water table that is still "tapped by the local inhabitants for general use." Beirut's position in the valley also provided an easy crossing of the river and channeled any movement throughout the area towards through the city. In 14 B.C.E., Beirut gained prominence in the Western world when it was made a Roman Colony, theRemains of pipes found from Roman period Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus. The popularity of Beirut grew even further after the Romans established a law school in 300 A.C.E. that drew people from around the continent to Beirut. The Roman rule, however, came to an abrupt end in 551 AD when a series of earthquakes and a massive tidal wave destroyed the city.

In 635 A.D.E, Beirut was captured and reconstructed by the Muslims. The city, was redesigned with fortification and surrounding city walls, was controlled by the Muslims of Damascus. Much of the city layout and grid system that was created during Muslim control is still visible in today's modern Beirut. Extensive sea trading under the Muslims, beginning around the 10th century, helped to re-establish Beirut as a port city on the Mediterranean and as a growing city in the Middle East.