Gadara

Glossaries

Term	Definition
Gadara	Gadara, now known as Umm Qais, was a prosperous city of the Decapolis, a league of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. Located in modern-day Jordan, it is renowned for its ancient ruins and rich cultural heritage. Possibly founded as early as the 7th century BC, Gadara was an important cultural and commercial crossroad. Under Roman control from the 1st century BC, the city was endowed with numerous public buildings, including baths, theaters, and an aqueduct. Gadara was also a cultural hub, drawing poets, philosophers, and artists. The ruins of the city, including the impressive Roman theaters and Byzantine baths, bear witness to its former grandeur. The city also figures in biblical narratives as the site of miracles.

Term

Definition

Gadara, now known as Umm Qais, was a prosperous city of the Decapolis, a league of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. Located in modern-day Jordan, it is renowned for its ancient ruins and rich cultural heritage.

Possibly founded as early as the 7th century BC, Gadara was an important cultural and commercial crossroad. Under Roman control from the 1st century BC, the city was endowed with numerous public buildings, including baths, theaters, and an aqueduct. Gadara was also a cultural hub, drawing poets, philosophers, and artists. The ruins of the city, including the impressive Roman theaters and Byzantine baths, bear witness to its former grandeur. The city also figures in biblical narratives as the site of miracles.