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Jerash, Main Roman Street
Notice: This photo is copyrighted by Dennis Bratcher and is not available for public use. Do not link directly to this photo or to any photos on this site. This is the main street in the Roman city of Gerasa, know today as Jerash. While Luke (8:26) identifies Gerasa with the healing of the demoniac, there is debate whether this is the actual city intended. Jerash is located in the modern country of Jordan about 30 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee in the Old Testament territory of Gilead. It was an important city in this area of the Roman Empire. It is one of the most well preserved Roman cities in the Middle East, although the vast majority of the city has not been excavated. Many of the public buildings, Roman temples, amphitheater, city walls, and forum can be seen, as well as several later churches. Most of the city as it stands today dates to the first and second century AD, after the biblical era. However, it still provides an excellent example of a typical Roman city in the general era of the New Testament. The columns that originally lined the length of this street sheltered shops on either side. In the distance a similarly columned cross street intersected this street, with a large fountain in the center of the intersection. Just behind where this photo was taken the street opens into a large oval shaped forum completely encircled by columns. Grooves cut into the paving stones by iron chariot wheels are visible in many places along this section of the street. |
Related pages Historical and Cultural Issues in Biblical Interpretation
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