About the product
In the north-western corner of Jordan, in the hills above the Jordan Valley, are the
ruins of the Decapolis city of Gadara (now called Umm Qais). The site is striking
because of its juxtaposition of Roman ruins with an abandoned Ottoman-era village,
as well as its tremendous vantage point, with views of three countries (Jordan, Syria,
and the Palestinian Territories), encompassing the Golan Heights, Mt Hermon and
the Sea of Galilee.
According to the Bible, the place where Jesus cast out the devil from two men into a
herd of pigs (Matthew 8: 28-34). Rising 518 meters above sea level with magnificent
views of Lake Tiberias .
Gadara was renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting an array of writers,
artists, philosophers and poets. It also served as a resort for Romans vacationing in
the nearby al-Hemma hot springs. Like Pella, its sister Decapolis city, Gadara was
blessed with fertile soil, abundant water, and a location astride a number of key
trading routes connecting Asia and Europe.
The city was probably founded by the Greeks during the fourth century BCE. Gadara
was overrun by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III in 218 BCE. When the Romans under
Pompey conquered the East and formed the Decapolis, the fortunes of Gadara, taken
in 63 BCE, improved rapidly and building was undertaken on a large scale. During the
early part of Roman rule, the Nabateans (with their capital at Petra) controlled the
trade routes as far north as Damascus. Aiming to put an end to this competition, Mark
Antony sent King Herod the Great to weaken the Nabateans, who finally gave up
their northern interests in 31 BCE. In In appreciation for his efforts, Rome rewarded
Herod with Gadara. The city remained under Herod’s rule until his death, and then
reverted to semi-autonomy as part of the Roman province of Syria.
ruins of the Decapolis city of Gadara (now called Umm Qais). The site is striking
because of its juxtaposition of Roman ruins with an abandoned Ottoman-era village,
as well as its tremendous vantage point, with views of three countries (Jordan, Syria,
and the Palestinian Territories), encompassing the Golan Heights, Mt Hermon and
the Sea of Galilee.
According to the Bible, the place where Jesus cast out the devil from two men into a
herd of pigs (Matthew 8: 28-34). Rising 518 meters above sea level with magnificent
views of Lake Tiberias .
Gadara was renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting an array of writers,
artists, philosophers and poets. It also served as a resort for Romans vacationing in
the nearby al-Hemma hot springs. Like Pella, its sister Decapolis city, Gadara was
blessed with fertile soil, abundant water, and a location astride a number of key
trading routes connecting Asia and Europe.
The city was probably founded by the Greeks during the fourth century BCE. Gadara
was overrun by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III in 218 BCE. When the Romans under
Pompey conquered the East and formed the Decapolis, the fortunes of Gadara, taken
in 63 BCE, improved rapidly and building was undertaken on a large scale. During the
early part of Roman rule, the Nabateans (with their capital at Petra) controlled the
trade routes as far north as Damascus. Aiming to put an end to this competition, Mark
Antony sent King Herod the Great to weaken the Nabateans, who finally gave up
their northern interests in 31 BCE. In In appreciation for his efforts, Rome rewarded
Herod with Gadara. The city remained under Herod’s rule until his death, and then
reverted to semi-autonomy as part of the Roman province of Syria.
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