Jerash  (10 Slides)     [Page 1 of 1]  
   
St Cosmos + Damian Floor * the Church of St. Cosmos and St. Damian, twin brother doctors who were martyred in the 4th century, has the most splendid floor mosaics to be seen in Jerash. An inscription dates the mosaic to 553 AD, and the images include the churchwarden Theodore with his wife Georgia, praying with widespread arms. * 432 x 276 * (86KB)
South Theater Stage * Built during the reign of Emperor Domitian, between 90-92 AD, the South Theater seats more than 3000 spectators and serves today as the primary venue for the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts. The first level of the ornate stage, originally 2-stories has been reconstructed and is still used today. The remarkable acoustics allows a speaker at the center of the orchestra floor to be heard by the entire auditorium without raising his/her voice.Two vaulted passages lead into the orchestra, and four passages at the back of the theater give access to the upper rows of seats. Some seats could be reserved and the Greek letters which designate them can still be seen. * 648 x 336 * (82KB)
Oval Plaza from above * The spacious plaza measures 90 x 80 m and is surrounded by a broad sidewalk and a colonnade of 1st century Ionic columns. There are 2 altars in the middle, and a fountain was added in the 7th century AD. This square structure now supports a central column, which was recently erected to carry the Jerash Festival flame. * 432 x 323 * (74KB)
Nymphaeum * This ornamental fountain was constructed in 191 AD, and dedicated to the Nymphs. Such fountains were common in Roman cities, and provided a refreshing focal point for the city. This fine example was originally embellished with marble facings on the lower level and painted plaster on the upper level, topped with a half-dome roof Water cascaded through 7 carved lions' heads into small basins on the sidewalk and overflowed from there through drains into the underground sewer system. * 432 x 323 * (97KB)
Temple of Artemis * The monumental staircase, originally enclosed by high walls, leads up to a U-shaped terrace where an open-air altar was built, the foundations of which are still visible. A second staircase leads through a colonnade of 22 Corinthian columns and into the Temenos. This sacred precinct, 162 x 121 m, was defined by Corinthian columns on all 4 sides. * 432 x 341 * (75KB)
  St Cosmos + Damian Floor  
  South Theater Stage  
  Oval Plaza from above  
  Nymphaeum  
  Temple of Artemis  
Propylaeum * The procession to the Temple of Artemis originally started across the river in the part of Gerasa now covered by modern Jerash. Crossing the Cardo, worshippers approached the impressive entrance to the processional way leading up to the Temple of Artemis. Its massive columns and a carved portico were flanked by 2-storey shops. * 432 x 323 * (74KB)
Carving * Detail of the carving used in Jerash. * 576 x 375 * (116KB)
South Decumanus * The South Decumanus, a major cross street to the Cardo. In the background is the modern city of Jerash. * 576 x 527 * (155KB)
St Cosmos + Damian Mosaic Detail * the Church of St. Cosmos and St. Damian, twin brother doctors who were martyred in the 4th century, has the most splendid floor mosaics to be seen in Jerash. An inscription dates the mosaic to 553 AD, and the images include the churchwarden Theodore with his wife Georgia, praying with widespread arms. * 576 x 431 * (169KB)
Temple and Theater * A view of the Temple of Zues (left) and the South Theater (right) on the hill above the Oval Plaza. * 576 x 371 * (104KB)
  Propylaeum  
  Carving  
  South Decumanus  
  St Cosmos + Damian Mosaic Detail  
  Temple and Theater  
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