If you are interested in Rome and 2,000 year old history and archaeology then take a tour of the two Roman Decapolis cities in Israel: Sussita or ancient Hippos (both words mean horse) a mixed city of Jews, Christians and pagans sitting on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the areas of Jesus’ ministry and Beit Shean, ancient Scythopolis but a city that goes back in time much farther, more than 18 layers of occupation from the late Neolithic period (fifth millennium BCE) through medieval times. Both cities were “stopped in their tracks” in 749CE by a massive area earthquake that destroyed both cities and froze them in time (think Pompei). The cities of the Decapolis minted their own coins, enjoyed Roman military protection, and celebrated a lifestyle focused on public baths, theater, philosophy, and Greek pagan worship. If you love walking through colonnaded Roman streets, exploring massive amphitheaters, and diving into ancient history, these two travel highlights belong on your bucket list.

Sussita (Hippos)

Located on a flat-topped diamon-shaped mountain to the east of the Sea of Galilee, this site was a prominent member of the Decapolis. It offers a slightly more rugged, archaeological hiking experience with stunning views.

• 🌊 The Vibe: A dramatic, wind-swept archaeological site overlooking the water, far away from the heavy tourist crowds.
• 🐎 What to See:
  • The Decumanus Maximus: The main east-west basalt-paved colonnaded street stretching across the mountain crest that leads to a small a small Roman theater or Odeon
  • The Forum and Hellenistic Temple: The civic heart of the city where citizens worshipped and conducted trade.
  • Byzantine Churches: Remarkable ruins of 7 early Christian churches featuring surviving floor mosaics.
  • The Water system based on an aquaduct that brought water 25km from Nahal El Al – learn the technology that got the water up to the city
• 📜 New Testament Context: Because Hippos was perched so prominently on a hill, many scholars believe it was the visual inspiration behind Jesus’s famous Sermon on the Mount metaphor: “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Because these were primarily Gentile areas, Jesus famously traveled here to minister—most notably exorcising demons from man in nearby Kursi and transferring the demons to a herd of pigs that stampeded down the slope into the lake and drowned.

Beit She’an (Scythopolis)

Located at the strategic intersection of the Jordan River Valley and Jezreel Valley, it bridged Mediterranean trade routes to Transjordan and was the single largest, most powerful, and only member of the Decapolis located west of the Jordan River.

• 🏛️ The Vibe: An ancient Roman metropolis showcase of luxury, advanced civil engineering, and public entertainment.
• 🎭 What to See:
  • The Roman Theater: A beautifully preserved, 7,000-seat theater that still hosts modern performances.
  • Palladius Street: A breathtaking, marble-paved colonnaded thoroughfare lined with ancient shops and intricate mosaics and the columns were discovered exactly where they fell during the earthquake.
  • The Roman Bathhouse: A massive complex complete with underfloor heating systems (hypocausts) where citizens socialized.
• 📜 Biblical Context: Long before the Romans, this was where the Philistines hung the body of King Saul. It reached its golden architectural heights under Rome, before a catastrophic earthquake completely leveled the city in 749 CE.

---

Pro-Tip for your Itinerary: If your travel plans allow, consider crossing into neighboring Jordan, which also holds a number of Decapolis cities, perhaps the most famous and best-preserved is Gerasa , modern Jerash, which is just a 1-hour drive across the border from Israel and an absolute must-see for Roman history enthusiasts.