In the northwestern corner of Jordan, in the hills above the Jordan Valley, are the ruins of Gadara (Umm Qais).
Gadara was one of the 10 cities making up the Decapolis. The league of cities in eastern Palestine was formed after the Roman conquest and General Pompey reorganized the Middle East to Rome’s advantage.
The cities were grouped together because of their language, culture and location. Other Jordan Decapolis cities were Jerash, Raphana, Dion, Pella, Gerasa and Philadelphia (Amman). In Israel: Scythopolis (Bet She’an) and Hippos. In Syria: Damascus and Canatha.
From Gadara you can see Syria, Israel and the Palestinian Territories including the Golan Heights, Mt Hermon and the Sea of Galilee.
According to the Bible, it was here that Jesus performed the miracle of the casting demons out of two men and into a herd of pigs.
My visit to Gadara was part of Exodus Travels “Hidden Treasures of Jordan” tour.
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