"Gerasa, an antic city" a Jarash Travel Page by Djinn76

According to the legend the city was founded by Alexander the Great (yes, the same as the one in the movie) around the 4th century BC but in reality people were living here far before that.

The city has been particularly wealthy during its Greek time. It has later been independent and part of the Decapolis, this was an association between 10 cities of the area: Scythopolis (Bet She'an), Hippos (Susieh), Gadara (Umm Qais), Pella (Tabaqat Fahl), Philadelphia (Amman), Gerasa (Jerash), Dion (Adun), Kanatha (Kanawat), Damascus, and Raphana (Abila).

During the first two centuries, following the conquest of the whole area by the Roman emperor Trajan, the city enjoy the Pax Romana and become even more wealthy.
Lots of building have been built following the visit of Hadrian, another roman emperor in the 2nd century...

Following this glorious period, the city start declining : successive wars, sacking and earthquake will turn this marvel into ruins...

Located 50km north of Amman, this is supposed to be the second most visited site of Jordan after Petra.
Not too sure why but when I visited it, a friday at the end of september, it was almost deserted...
It won't complain, it was a pure pleasure to wander almost alone in the rest of this ancient city and imagine its splendor...