Jerash (aka Gerasa, Gerash or Gerasha) is the capital and the largest city of the Jerash Governorate in Jordan, but in ancient times it was one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities in the ancient Near East. Settled by humans as early as the Neolithic period (c. 7500-5500 BCE) and founded as a Hellenistic city in the 2nd century BCE, Jerash is today noted for its fine Roman and Byzantine ruins, which rank among the largest and best preserved in the world. Jerash is located 48 km (30 miles) north of Amman - the capital of Jordan - and 40 km (25 miles) south of Irbid, Jordan. Jerash is one of the most visited sites in Jordan after the Nabataean city of Petra.
More about: JerashDefinition
Timeline
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c. 175 BCE - 164 BCEFoundation of Hellenistic Jerash in Jordan.
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129 BCE - 102 BCEJerash in Jordan, is ruled by successive warlord-kings.
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c. 99 BCE - 63 BCEJerash in Jordan is ruled by the Hasmonean Kingdom.
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63 BCEJerash in Jordan becomes part of the Roman province of Syria.
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106 CEJerash in Jordan becomes part of the Roman province of Arabia.
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129 CE - 130 CERoman emperor Hadrian visits Jerash in Jordan, a visit commemorated by a triumphal arch.
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454 CEThe Roman Baths of Flaccus at Jerash in Jordan are constructed.
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c. 535 CEA new theatre is built at Byzantine Jerash in Jordan.
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600 CEJerash in Jordan has 15 churches.
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c. 611 CELast Chrisitan inscription at Jerash, Jordan.
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636 CEJerash in Jordan is conquered by the Arabs.
