Gadara

Gadara, modern Umm Qays, ancient city of Palestine, a member of the Decapolis, located just southeast of the Sea of Galilee in Jordan. Gadara first appeared in history when it fell to the Seleucid Antiochus the Great (218 bc); the Jewish king Alexander Jannaeus took it after 10 months’ siege (c. 100 bc). It was restored by the Roman general Pompey, and Augustus gave it to Herod the Great (30 bc). Archaeological remains include three large theatres, a basilica, a temple, and a colonnaded street.