Amman

  • Amman is the capital city of Jordan on the river Zarqa, a tributary of the river Jordan.
  • It was known as Philadelphia by the Greeks and Romans and was located in the Province of Arabia Petraea.

History

  • Amman was originally known as Rabbath Ammon, capital of the Biblical Ammonite Kingdom between c. 650-330 BCE.
  • After the conquest of the Levant by Alexander the Great, it became known as Philadelphia.
  • Philadelphia was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis until it was absorbed into the Province of Arabia Petraea.

Roman Sites

  • Roman Theatre (intact, with seating for 6,000 spectators)
  • Roman Temple of Hercules (Pillars only, located in the Amman Citadel)

Other Sites

  • Amman Citadel
    • This is one of the seven hills of Amman, dating from 1,800 BCE.
    • The Umayyad Palace (8th century CE)
    • Fortification Walls and Gate of Ammon (renovated)
    • Amman citadel Mosque

Museums

  • Amman Archeological Museum
    • Located in the Amman Citadel, at XW3M+MP9, Amman.
    • The Museum holds the Copper Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran, the rest are in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Roman Roads

  • Via Traiana Nova
    • Amman was connected to this north-south Highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

 

Amman

 

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