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A Reconsideration of the Hellenistic Decapolis: Case Studies from Pella and Gerasa

Haas, Patrick T
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378112907

Abstract Details

2013, MA, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Classics.
This thesis reviews and analyzes the archaeological evidence for Hellenistic (ca. 323–30 B.C.) Greek habitation in the region of Transjordan (the lands east of the Jordan river). Generations of scholars have concluded that Hellenistic Transjordan was politically, culturally, and economically unified, as was the case during the Roman Imperial period. This unification was accomplished through the establishment of large urban centers throughout the region. This collection of cities was known in Roman times as the Decapolis. I examine two of these urban centers, Pella and Gerasa, located in modern Jordan, as case studies. My analysis of the Hellenistic archaeological remains from these two sites, although based on incomplete datasets, indicates that neither site underwent significant urban development prior to the Roman period, nor is there any evidence of regional unification or confederation. The evidence from these case studies is then compared with the eight other sites in the region that would later form the Roman Decapolis. I conclude that there was great disparity between settlements in Hellenistic Transjordan, with few sites indicating direct royal control and no evidence of unification or centralized administration. In doing so, this study challenges long-held scholarly assumptions regarding the existence and organization of the "Hellenistic Decapolis." I conclude that the idea of a politically or culturally unified "Hellenistic Decapolis" is a modern conception, which is not supported by current archaeological evidence.
Barbara Burrell, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Kathleen Lynch, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
133 p.
Classical Studies
Decapolis; Jordan; Hellenistic; Roman; Seleucid; Ptolemaic;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Haas, P. T. (2013). A Reconsideration of the Hellenistic Decapolis: Case Studies from Pella and Gerasa [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378112907

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Haas, Patrick. A Reconsideration of the Hellenistic Decapolis: Case Studies from Pella and Gerasa. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378112907.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Haas, Patrick. "A Reconsideration of the Hellenistic Decapolis: Case Studies from Pella and Gerasa." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378112907

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1378112907
257
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.