Context: Amwas and Fate

This object is a stereograph of the famous ruins Emmaus Nicopolis, also known as Amwas, in Palestine. It is quite dated and appears as sepia as a result. The stereograph is surrounded by an orange border which extends horizontally longer than vertically. In the stereograph, it is possible to identify several old trees that appear Mediterranean of some sort. Behind the trees, the actual caves and stone constructions are visible. Scattered all throughout the landscape are small stones, and large stone bricks -- these are the ruins of Emmaus Nicopolis. This location is relevant to the ayniyyah because it is reported that the entire inspiration for Abu Dhu’ayb to write this elegy is the death of his five sons to plague. The most likely plague this could be is the Plague of Amwas, which is a type of bubonic plague that seems to have reappeared in Emmaus Nicopolis.