Decapolis

Glossaries

Term	Definition
Decapolis	The Decapolis was a league of ten ancient cities east of the Jordan River, known for their Hellenistic culture and influence under the Roman Empire. The Decapolis was a group of ten cities that primarily spanned what is now Jordan and parts of Syria. Established following the conquests of Alexander the Great, the league was marked by its embrace of Hellenistic culture. These cities enjoyed a degree of autonomy under Roman rule and were significant centers of trade, art, and learning. The most well-known cities of the Decapolis include Gerasa (Jerash), Damascus, Philadelphia (Amman), and Gadara. Their architecture and ruins, such as Roman theaters, temples, and forums, attest to their prosperity and cultural significance in antiquity.

Term

Definition

The Decapolis was a league of ten ancient cities east of the Jordan River, known for their Hellenistic culture and influence under the Roman Empire.

The Decapolis was a group of ten cities that primarily spanned what is now Jordan and parts of Syria. Established following the conquests of Alexander the Great, the league was marked by its embrace of Hellenistic culture. These cities enjoyed a degree of autonomy under Roman rule and were significant centers of trade, art, and learning. The most well-known cities of the Decapolis include Gerasa (Jerash), Damascus, Philadelphia (Amman), and Gadara. Their architecture and ruins, such as Roman theaters, temples, and forums, attest to their prosperity and cultural significance in antiquity.