Ancient History and Archaeology.com

I’ve just finished a batch of articles about Jerash in Jordan. It’s a Roman city-the best preserved in that country in fact and it’s packed with fascinating archaeology.

Its main cardo is lined with archaeological features from the city’s heyday including the oval forum, temple of Zeus, theatres, bath houses and the entrance to the sanctuary of Artemis.

The sanctuary is, for me, the highlight of Jerash. Its approach from the main cardo is via a reconstructed stairway. Once, the temple was hidden from view behind the colonnades of the sanctuary but now it seems to rise up before your eyes. It’s an impressive sight, even in ruins and full of locals selling tea to sightseers. It has a very special atmosphere, one I’ve rarely come across before at other temple sites.

Perhaps that’s because it was never Christianized as many other pagan sanctuaries were across the city. There are the remains of some fine Byzantine churches in Jerash. The mosaic floor of the church of St Cosmas and Damian is particularly worth a look.