Ancient Town Gadara

Gadara was likely a Ptolemaic fortress, destroyed around 200 BC by Antiochus III. A century later, it met a similar fate at the hands of Alexander Jannaeus. In 64 BC, Pompey conquered the city for the Roman Empire, after which it became part of the Decapolis. After a brief period under Herod the Great, Gadara became part of the Roman province of Syria and later Arabia Petraea. Under Emperor Hadrian, an extensive aqueduct was built for water supply. The city developed into a Christian center until it came under Arab influence after the Battle of Yarmouk in 636. Severe earthquakes in the 7th and 8th centuries led to widespread destruction, but coin finds suggest habitation until the 13th century. Since 1974, extensive excavations have been carried out in Gadara, uncovering, among other things, a Byzantine central church and further exploring the history of the site.

The ancient city of Gadara is located in Umm Qais in the Irbid district of the Northern Jordan region, at an altitude of approximately 358 m above sea level.

Visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient city today. The West Theater, whose seating tiers and semicircular orchestra are entirely made of basalt, offered space for around 3000 spectators.