Jerash, situated an hour car ride from Jordan’s capital of Amman, dates back to the Greek period. Known as Gerasa in ancient times, it was termed the Antioch on the Golden River and was the capital and largest city of the Jersah Governorate. Found by either Alexander the Great or his general Perdiccas around 331 BC, today it is one of the most important and best preserved Roman Cities in Asia Minor. A prosperous city, in AD 106 the Emperor Trajan constructed roads throughout the region increasing trade to Jerash. In AD 129-130, Emperor Hadrian visited Jerash and a flurry of building proceeded his arrival. At it’s zenith, Jerash was one of the largest cities in Asia Minor, rivaled only by Ephesus. Today talking a walk through Jerash brings travelers back in time to the height of the Greek and Roman empires. Dubbed ‘the Rome away from Rome’ by the Jordanian Tourist Board, Jerash is worth a visit on any trip to Amman.
