Amman

Attribution:

S G Burns

Amman

Jordan

Key Dates

The site of Amman has been occupied since 8,500 BC. It was taken over by the Ammonites in 1,200 BC and then conquered repeatedly until it fell into the hands of the Romans in 106 AD. Christianity arrived with the conversion of the emperor in 326 AD. Destoryed by a series of earthquakes, the city shrank to a small village until 1887. In 1921, it was chosen as the seat of government for the new Emirate of Transjordan. The city grew considerably in size after 1948 and has suffered serious damage in the conflict with Israel.

Key People

Ptolemy II Philadelphus, once ruler of Egypt, renamed Amman Philadelphia, a title it kept until the Ghassian era. The city began to rally again after near total destruction when the Ottoman Sultan decided to build the Hejaz railway, making Amman a node on the trading map once more.

Ptolemy II Philadelphus

Originally built on seven hills in what is now north-west Jordan, Amman enjoys spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Excavation has unearthed not only evidence of a neolithic civilization but also artwork dating from the New Stone Age. Conquered by the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans in turn, the city retains rich evidence of its colourful past, including the Temple of Hercules with three of its columns still intact on Citadel hill. One of the early Byzantine churches from the 4th century AD can also still be visited.

Admission Fee

Admission Free

Related Websites

Amman information

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