Jerash

GERASA (now Jerash), ruined city of Palestine, east of the Jordan, part of the former Decapolis, 80 km (49.7 miles) N-E. of Jerusalem, divided in two by the Golden River. Its most interesting ruins are the Corinthian temple, a triumphal arch, five or six other temples and two theaters, all made of marble, a nymphaeum, a small temple (with a semi-circular ionic colonnade), at which starts a street with a row of columns, that runs through the city. Forming a right angle with the latter are three other streets, all filled with memories of the former splendor of Gerasa. Josephus says that King Alexander Jannaeus seized this city, some time around 85 BC. It was burned down by the Jews in the war against the Romans and taken over again by Annius, one of Emperor Vespasian’s generals. In 1122, Baldwin II seized and destroyed the fortress.
 
Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.