In the 13th century BC Amman was called Rabbath Ammon or Rabat Amon by the Ammonites Rabbat ʿAmmon, Tiberian Hebrew Rabbaṯ ʿAmmôn). It was later conquered by the Assyrians, followed by the Persians, and then the Greeks. Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the Hellenic ruler of Egypt, renamed it Philadelphia. The city became part of the Nabataean kingdom until 106 AD when Philadelphia came under Roman control and joined the Decapolis.
-
-
Built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (169-177 AD), the large and steeply raked theatre could seat about 6,000 people. It is built into the hillside, and oriented north to keep the sun off the spectators. In this photo, the orchestra and stage are viewed from the third diazoma (horizontal division) of the cavea. -
9 December 2005 Amman -
9 December 2005 Amman -
9 December 2005 Amman Alexander Bless and our guide Elias ( I am a Christian Palestine and I think I am 65) inside the museum in the Amphitheater. Elias told us that all Christians had left Ammann and now live in Europa and the USA. -
9 December 2005