Jerash

Jerash is known for the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa.  It is believed to be one of the most significant examples of Roman cities in the Near East.  

After the Roman conquest in 63 BC, Jerash was annexed by the Roman province of Syria, and later joined the Decapolis cities.  In AD 90, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia.  In the second half of the first century AD, the city achieved much prosperity.  In AD 106, the Emperor Trajan constructed roads throughout the area and more trade came to Jerash. 

During the Crusades, some monuments were adapted innto to fortresses, including the Temple of Artemis. Small settlements continued in Jerash during the Ayyubid, Mameluk and Ottoman periods.   From AD 350, a large Christian community lived in Jerash, and between AD 400-600, more than thirteen churches were built, many with beautiful mosaic floors. A cathedral was built in the fourth century. 

Images

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