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Sanctuary of Zeus

Sanctuary of Zeus / © Foto: Haupt and Binder, Universes in Universe

Sanctuary of Zeus Olympios

Just beyond the South Gate, to the left (west) of the path, one sees the Temple of Zeus high above a massive substructure. The high bossed masonry of the cryptoporticus, behind which lies a barrel vault almost 90 m long, supports a terrace 100 m long and 50 m wide, on which the sacred area (temenos) of the sanctuary is located. Well recognizable are the remains of the outer walls of the temenos with protruding half-columns.

The Sanctuary of Zeus was built in the course of centuries on the eastern side of a hill facing the original settlement core of Gerasa (so-called Camp Hill, where the museum is today). It is divided into two terraced levels connected by stairways. The model from the museum of the archaeological site was used to reconstruct how the complex might have looked (details of the individual buildings further below).

From the Oval Plaza, a staircase led to a square porch [1] with 8 columns, through which one entered the sacred area (temenos) enclosed by vaulted passageways on all four sides of the courtyard [2]. The naos (shrine or temple) [3] in the northern half of the temenos was built in several phases. In front of it to the south was a large altar. The temple on the uppermost platform [4] stands on a podium measuring about 41 x 28 m and was completed and consecrated in 162/163 AD.

The wide staircase leads to the platform of a porch with once eight columns and then on to the sacred area (Temenos). On the left, the eastern colonnade of the Oval Plaza, through which the main axis of the city (Cardo) was cleverly connected to the Sanctuary of Zeus (more about this). In the far background you can see Hadrian's Arch and, just behind the colonnade, the South Gate.

Temenos and Naos

During the Iron Age there was already a cult place on a rocky spur with a grotto at this place. It was completely overlaid by the successive versions of a naos (shrine or temple) that were built, rebuilt and demolished since the 2nd century BC. Today you can see the remains of various buildings unearthed by archaeologists.

About the construction history

Early 1st century BC
In the foundations of the 1st and 2nd century AD buildings, archaeologists found parts of a small rectangular naos from the early 1st century BC, decorated inside and outside with lavish architectural ornaments and sculptural, painted stucco. South of it (on the right in the photo) stood an altar measuring nearly 6 x 6 m, decorated with symbols of Zeus, the Dioscuri and Heracles. (J. Seigne, p. 13/14)

On the basis of the blocks found, decorated with sculptural painted stucco, it was possible to establish a very accurate picture of the architecture and the interior and exterior decoration of this small square monument, which is dated to about 70/60 BC and is one of the few testimonies of late Hellenistic architecture in the region. (From a sign at the site)

27/28 AD
The sanctuary was gradually enlarged and in 27/28 AD, according to an inscription, under the direction of "Diodoros, son of Zebeda, architect from Gerasa," it was surrounded with a large courtyard enclosed on all four sides by vaulted walkways. (From a sign at the site)

69/70 AD
The Naos, probably partially destroyed during the First Jewish War against the Romans, was rebuilt with the help of a donation from Théon, "son of Demetrios and worshipper of Olympian Zeus". "The new building, characterized by the use of hard colored limestone and a decoration in classical forms, broke for the first time with the decorative forms in oriental tradition." (J. Seigne, p. 14)

135/140 AD
The Naos, probably destroyed again during the Second Jewish War, was rebuilt immediately afterwards in a smaller version. All elements of previous buildings were carefully dismantled and inserted into the foundations of the new building, which was again built according to an oriental plan. (J. Seigne, p. 14)

450/455 AD
When the ancient Sanctuary of Zeus was converted into a monastery by Christian monks, Bishop Placcus had blocks of it reused for church buildings and the thermal baths now known by his name.

Under the direction of "Diodoros, son of Zebedas, architect from Gerasa" the sanctuary was surrounded in 27/28 AD with a large courtyard enclosed on all four sides by vaulted corridors. Their walls are divided by alternating open and closed arcades, as well as protruding semi-columns. The walls are finished at the top by a Doric frieze, an Ionic cymation (molding with egg-and-dart ornament), and a cornice projecting above the wall.

Temple of Zeus Olympios

The temple dedicated to Zeus Olympios on the top terrace was built on the site of an earlier Roman temple and was completed and consecrated in 162/163 AD. It is a peripteros on a 41 x 28 m podium, the best known type of ancient temple, in which the cella (the main inner room) is surrounded by an outer gallery delimited by columns. There were eight columns with Corinthian capitals on the front and back sides and twelve on each of the two long sides, each nearly 15 m high. From the lower terrace a staircase with two landings led upwards, which was as wide as the temple and has not been preserved.

Corinthian capitals. In the background you can see the columns of the temple of Artemis.

View into the cella towards the east. The strikingly thick walls are divided inside by pilasters. Southeast of the entrance (on the right in the photo) a staircase led up to the temple roof. On the opposite side you can see a small door to the northern gallery, which led to the southern theater right next door, which was probably also used for ritual acts in connection with the temple.

The cella was divided into three rooms. In the western one there was apparently a high platform on which probably stood a cult image of Zeus.

The outside of the strong walls, which still rise up to 10 meters, is decorated with arched niches.

On the way from the upper temple to the South Theater are exhibited components and reliefs recovered in the Sanctuary of Zeus.


From the middle of the 5th century, in Byzantine times, the sanctuary served as a monastery for Christian monks. Later, farmers and craftsmen lived there. In the earthquake of 749 AD this building was also largely destroyed and therefore abandoned. In the 12th century, the complex is said to have been briefly occupied by a small unit of the Crusaders.

(© Text by Universes in Universe from information in different sources, including Jacques Seigne, and signs on the site)

Location:

Sanctuary of Zeus
Jerash Archeological City
Location on map


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