National Geographic History - 09.10 201

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RELIEFS WITH ORNATE DECORATIONS HAD
ONCE FORMED PART OF THE LINTELS OF THE OVAL PLAZA.
ALAMY/ACI

A UNIQUE SPACE

THE SPECTACULAR OVAL FORUM is a feature only found
in the eastern Roman Empire. While oval-shaped
public spaces can also be seen in other cities
of Roman Syria, such as Palmyra, the Oval
Plaza of Jerash is prized both for its size and
the careful civic planning that allowed it to
gracefully link different elements of the city.
Built in the first century A.D., possibly as
the center of the commercial and civic life
of Jerash, it was paved with stones that
formed an impressive concentric design.
The forum is nearly 300 feet long and
more than 250 feet across at its wid-
est point. Around the outside stands a
magnificent Ionic colonnade. From here,
a newly arrived visitor’s eye was drawn to
the Cardo Maximus as it cut through the
city to the north. The Tem-
ple of Zeus-Jupiter loomed
over the western side. Built in
the time of Emperor Marcus
Aurelius, the temple’s double
structure on two terraces
could be seen all over

3 the city.

Hippodrome

Hadrian’s

Arch

South

Gate