Name of Monument:

Umm Qays

Other name of the Monument:

Gadara

Location:

Irbid Governorate, Jordan

Responsible Institution:

Department of Antiquities

 About Department of Antiquities, Irbid Governorate

Date of Monument:

Greco-Roman until present; visited by Ulrich Seetzen in 1806

History:

Founded during the 3rd century BCE, Gadara was taken first by the Seleucids of Syria during the 2nd century BCE, then by the Hasmoneans and finally “liberated” in 64 BCE by the Romans. In 30 BCE, it changed hands again to become under Herod the Great, but not for long. After the death of Herod, Gadara became part of the Roman Province of Syria. From the 4th till the 7th century, Gadara was a bishopric seat. After the battle of Yarmuk in 636, Gadara became part of the Islamic state. The most famous monuments of Gadara are its city walls and gates, theatres, octagonal basilicas and Mausoleum.

Description:

Located at the northern tip of Jordan, much of the Roman old city of Gadara is still covered by the deserted late Ottoman village of Umm Qays. Founded during the 3rd century BCE, Gadara was taken first by the Seleucids of Syria during the 2nd century BCE, then by the Hasmoneans and finally “liberated” in 64 BCE by the Romans. In 30 BCE, it changed hands again to become under Herod the Great, but not for long. After the death of Herod, Gadara became part of the Roman Province of Syria. From the 4th till the 7th century, Gadara was a bishopric seat. After the battle of Yarmuk in 636, Gadara became part of the Islamic state. The most famous monuments of Gadara are its city walls and gates, theatres, octagonal basilicas and Mausoleum.

Citation of this web page:

Mohammad Najjar "Umm Qays" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monuments;AWE;jo;2;en

Prepared by: Mohammad Najjar
Copyedited by: Daniel de la VegaDaniel de la Vega

Daniel de la Vega is a copy editor based in Portland, Oregon. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2014 and has since done editing and localization work on everything from college applications to magazines to video game dialogue.

MWNF Working Number: JO 002