Ancient History, Middle East

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. A Dictionary of the Bible Further reading

Gerasa

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Gerasa , Gerash, or Jerash , ancient city of the Decapolis, 22 mi (35 km) N of Amman, in present-day Jordan. According to Josephus it was captured (83 BC) by Alexander Jannaeus, king of the Hasmonean dynasty, and rebuilt (AD 65) by the Romans. Though twice destroyed thereafter, it was a flourishing city in the 2d and 3d cent. The Greco-Roman city was called Jerash and is probably the best-preserved Palestinian city of Roman times. The site is covered with interesting Roman ruins, including a long colonnaded street with more than a hundred columns still standing, a great theater and a smaller one, a triumphal arch, and many temples. It was also important in the development of early Christianity, and several churches of the period have been found there. Gerasa is not the biblical country of the Gerasenes. A colony of Circassians lives among the ruins.

Bibliography: See C. H. Kraeling, ed., Gerasa, City of the Decapolis (1938).

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Gerasa

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | Copyright

Gerasa An impressive city of the Decapolis in NT times rebuilt by the Romans with theatres and forum. It lies between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee and is alluded to in Mark 5: 1. It was incorporated into the province of Syria in 63 BCE.

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Gerasa." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Gerasa." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Gerasa.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Gerasa." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Gerasa.html

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