| | The Capital of the Greek Decapolis, Bet She'an was a fully "western" city in... |
| | | ... Jesus' day. During the Davidic Kingdom, however, it was Jewish. |
| | | The extant remains date to the Hellenistic period, when it was called Scythopoli |
|
| | One of the best preserved Amphitheaters from the Roman period can be found here. |
| | | The Tel which dominates the backdrop is far more ancient, however. |
| |
| | | Roman version of a "sky box." |
| |
| | | Mixed elements of restoration work, portions baked in the sun, and buried. |
| | | The "cardo" or main street of the Roman city. |
|
| | Looking up the ancient Tel, containing un-excavated Cananite remains. |
| | | The steps in the Amphitheater are very steep. |
| |
| | The wooden stage is NOT original. Charred remains though show it was once wood. |
| | |
| | |
| | The Public toilets as they would have looked in the Roman period ... |
| | | ... and as they look today. |
| |
| | | Steps leading from the baths up to the Amphitheater. Long way to walk ... |
| | | ... to go potty in the second act. |
|
| | | This city had hot and cold running water ... with ceramic pipes. You can see... |
| | | ... holes in the last photo and this where the pipes once ran through the baths. |
|
| | |
| | | | In this photo you can see hints of what destroyed this city: an earthquake. |
|
| | | More earthquake evidence ... the wall fell right over, arches intact. |
| |
| | |
| | | So much of this city remains to be excavated. |
| | | Steps leading to the imperial temple. |
|
| | |
| | Plastered walls with greek script still visible. |
| | | More evidence of what destroyed this city. Collapsed columns are to ... |
| | | ... be seen all over the place. |
|
| | |
| | |
| | | | Looking down "mainstreet." |
|
| | | Scythopolis was an amazing city in its day, and well worth the visit today. |
| |