Many cities in Jordan are very popular with tourists, and Jerash is, perhaps, the second most popular in the country. This interesting city is situated in a valley of a striking beauty surrounded by forest-covered hills and fertile lands. It is hard to find another city in the world that has such a well-preserved look of an ancient Roman settlement. There is a logical explanation for this fact. For centuries, Jerash was hidden under thick layers of sand. The Roman province was unearthed only two centuries ago. Close to the landmark of the ancient world, there is the modern city of Jerash that is a vibrant and developing place. First settlers on the site of the modern Jordanian city appeared during the Neolithic period. In 63 BC, the Roman troops captured the settlement and added it to the Decapolis league of cities. The settlement had another name at that time – Gerasa. This was a true period of prosperity for Jerash. Initially a small settlement, it turned into a large Roman province that was not only developing but also growing in size. The Byzantine Empire took over the region in the 4th century, turning Jerash into a center of Christianity. Muslims from the Umayyad Caliphate were the last rulers of Jerash. It didn’t matter who the ruler was, the life of the local people was peaceful and prosperous. In 749, a devastating earthquake took place in Jerash. It ended the history of the Roman province. The city was almost completely in ruins. People, who managed to
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