Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AD as the monumental gateway to the Temple of Artemis, and originally flanked by
shops. From here, it is a 20-minute walk along the cardo maximus to Hadrian's Gate. Al-
ternatively, if you want to get a sense of the complete extent of Jerash, head towards the
North Gate and be rewarded by one or two extra surprises.
North Theatre
Just downhill from the Temple of Artemis, partially hidden by the hill, is the beautiful
little North Theatre. Built in about AD 165 and enlarged in 235, it was most likely used
for government meetings rather than artistic performances. Originally it had 14 rows of
seats with two vaulted passageways leading to the front of theatre, as well as five internal
arched corridors leading to the upper rows.
Like many of the grand monuments at Jerash, the North Theatre was destroyed by
earthquakes and then partially dismantled for later Byzantine and Umayyad building pro-
jects. However, in recent years it has been magnificently restored and still maintains a ca-
pacity of about 2000 people. Take a seat in the lower rows, and you'll be in good com-
pany: many of the seats are inscribed with the names of the delegates who voted in the
city council. The theatre may not have been used for performances but there's still plenty
of rhythm in the design details, with round niches and inverted scallop shells, and exuber-
ant carvings of musicians and dancers at the base of the stairs. Exit stage left and head for
the North Gate.
ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
North Gate
Built in about AD 115, the North Gate forms an impressive full stop at the northern limit
of the ruins. Commissioned by Claudius Severus, who was responsible for building the
road to Pella, it still makes a fine, if somewhat neglected, frame for the cardo maximus
which stretches in all its glory along the entire length of the ancient walled city.
If you've reached the North Gate, you deserve a pat on the back because very few visit-
ors bother to walk this far. The good news is it's all downhill from here on the 35-minute
nonstop walk back to Hadrian's Gate; if you want to savour the many monuments on the
way, however, it will take at least an hour.
MONUMENTAL GATEWAY
Cardo Maximus
Jerash's superb colonnaded cardo maximus is straight in the way that only a Roman road
can be straight, ignoring all of the natural bends and contours of the landscape that may
STREET
