Gadara a Greco-Roman City of the Decapolis

Umm Qays Jordan, Ancient Home to the Gadarenes

Mar 22, 2009

The Jordanian city of Umm Qays formally known as Gadara, one of the Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis, is today a place for quiet contemplation and exploration.

Gadara's history allows, the curious researcher, a thought-provoking glimpse into antiquity while offering the on-site visitor a more tactile and visual experience.

The Decapolis cities, of which there were at least ten, were located in what is today's northern Jordan and southern Syria. The cities were bonded loosely, an association based on security, cultural and commercial interests.

A visitor to Umm Qays might well pause to soak up the incredible atmosphere from this ancient place, situated on the northern slopes of a plateau, which offers stunning views across to Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and the Golan Heights.

Looking around the site today there are dozens of standing monuments spread over a large area; a terrace of vaulted Roman shops, Roman baths complex, the main colonnaded street and parts of the western theatre to name but a few.

Umm Qays Jordan

The small museum in Umm Qays, housed in what used to be the Ottoman governor’s house has a fascinating collection of archaeological artefacts. A viewing of the mosaics, coins and statues gives the visitor a real insight into the people who spent their lives here.

Gadara

Gadara, its Semitic meaning a wall or fortification, was probably founded as a result of the settlement of former Macedonian soldiers after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE. The Potelmies and the Selecids followed as Hellenic authority waned.

Haifa University researcher, Menahem Luz speculates the name may have derived from the Macedonian village of Gadeira.

Roman statesman and general, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey) wrested control of Gadara, as part of a wider subjugation of Judea, from the Hasmonaeans in 63 BCE and placed it as an autonomous city under the control of the government of Syria. The Romans subsequently gave it to Herod the Great as a reward for his services.

Flavius Josephus

Historian Flavius Josephus tells of considerable damage caused by the siege of Gadara and the following major rebuilding programme which was dedicated to one of Pompey’s favourite freed-men, Demetrius Gaderene who had been born there.

Gadara Traditions of Philosophy and Poetry

Ancient Gadara had, said Menahem Luz, a tradition of writing, philosophy and poetry. His research for Haifa University is essential reading for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the importance of Gadara.

The New Testament book of Matthew mentions Gadara and the story of Jesus casting out demons from two madmen into a herd of pigs. The passage says:” When Jesus came to the territory of Gadara on the other side of the lake, he was met by two men who came out of the burial caves there. These men had demons in them…”

Interestingly similar passages appear in the books of Mark and Luke and mention, not Gadara but Gerasa (Jerash) another of the Decapolis cities. It’s a tantalising debate…

The copyright of the article Gadara a Greco-Roman City of the Decapolis in Ancient Middle Eastern History is owned by Neil Gunn. Permission to republish Gadara a Greco-Roman City of the Decapolis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.