File:Art and Architecture - Jerash Art.IWMPST16959.jpg

whole: the main image is positioned in the upper right quarter, with six smaller images placed in the lower two-thirds. The title is separate and placed in the upper fifth, in black and in orange. The text is separate and located across the majority, in black and in orange. All set against a white background. image: a map of the ancient city of Jerash, indicating the location of various archaeological sites. The smaller images are photographic depictions of various ruined buildings in Jerash; such as the Temple of Zeus, theatre, Triumphal Arch of Hadrian, Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis. text: Art and Architecture JERASH JERASH was one of the fortified caravan towns of Trans-Jordan. It first appears in history as a Greek Colony named Philadelphia under Antiochus III or IV. Later it was known as Antioch of the Gerasenes. The Romans encouraged the local Jews to revolt against the Hellenizing Seleucids and to destroy every vestige of their work in 102-76 BC. The city reappears with Pompey as the new founder, in 69 BC. The 1st Century AD was a period of comparative stability in Syria and feverish activity in the town, whose general lines were now laid out. Strong groups of Roman Veterans were settled in the town. Under Trajan's schemes for the prosperity of Arabia and Trans-Jordan Jerash became most prosperous and her first monuments were erected; the town spread on both sides of the river. In 3 Cent. AD, prosperity was interrupted by the anarchy and revolt which swept over the Roman empire, affecting the caravan trade. Revived under Justinian in the 6th Century, Jerash gained some importance as a Christian city, and many churches and the cathedral were built. The earthquake of 18 Jan. 746 ruined many of the greatest buildings. Trade took new routes and Jerash was left uninhabited until 1800, when the modern village sprang up on the East bank of the river. The remains visible today have only recently been excavated and restored. A. SOUTH GATE. B. TEMPLE OF ZEUS. C. SOUTH THEATRE. D. FORUM. E. SOUTH TETRAPYLON F. NYMPHAEUM. G. BRIDGE. H. EAST BATHS. I. VIADUCT CHURCH. J. WEST BATHS. K. CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES. L. NORTH GATE. M. NORTH TETRAPYLON N. NORTH THEATRE. O. PROPYLAE. P. TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS. Q. ST. THEODORE CATHEDRAL. R. SYNAGOGUE CHURCH. S. BISHOP GENESIUS. T. S.S. COSMAS and DAMIANUS. ST. JOHN ST. GEORGE U. S.S. PETER AND PAUL. [map has various text] TEMPLE OF ZEUS. FORUM and MAIN STREET, VIEW 1. S. THEATRE. FORUM and MODERN VILLAGE, VIEW 2. THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH OF HADRIAN. NYMPHAEUM. MAIN STREET and ZEUS TEMPLE, VIEW 3. PROPYLAE TO THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, VIEW 4. THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, VIEW 5. Pictorial Review No. 41 DECEMBER 1st, 1945 Crown Copyright reserved A.B.C.A. Middle East TEMPLE OF ZEUS-S. THEATRE Probably the site of a temple in pre-Hellenistic times; it may have had a theatre-like building connected with it - later the Temple of Zeus and a large Greek theatre were built. Finally reconstructed by the Romans and connected to the forum by a staircase. THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH A gate of honour facing the main entrance to the town. It was built in honour of the visit of the Emperor Hadrian and dates from the middle of the 2nd Cent. BC. Alongside are the remains of the Hippodrome. THE MAIN STREET The street was once lined with Ionic and Corinthian columns. The space between the main buildings was filled in by shops, remains of which can be seen around the S. Tetrapylon. The main sewer can still be seen. THE PROPYLAE AND TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS Completed in 150 AD. A flight of steps leads up to the Temple. Only the columns of the portico now stand - 54 feet high. Converted to a fort in 12th Cent., the temple was captured by the Crusaders and much damaged. THE NYMPHAEUM Completed in 191 AD, it was both a temple of the Nymphs and the chief fountain of the city. Built in two stories, the lower of carved marble and the upper of painted plaster. There was a half-dome over the top. Art and Architecture No. 12 Photographs by courtesy of the Department of Antiquities, Palestine. Prepared by Richard Leacroft.