Secret Cities in Galilee #2

Secret Cities in the New Testament

The Central Causeway in Roman Scythopolis.

Secret City #2 - Scythopolis

Although the major city of Scythopolis (Sith-ah-poe-liss) was the central point of the finest Roman highway from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee, there is no mention of it in the New Testament. Sitting at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley, It controlled access from Jordan to the sea and Jerusalem by way of Jericho to the Galilee.

The townsite had been occupied off and on since before the Stone Age. It was ruled by Egypt for 300 years, long before the Hebrew Nation made its conquests in Canaan. During Solomon's reign, one of his twelve officers ruled here, according to 1 Kings 4:12, under its original name of Beit She'an. After the return from the exile in Babylon, this city played a role in the Maccabean Revolt to toss the Hellenists out of the land.

In 63 BC, Pompey made the land a part of the Roman Empire. Beit She'an was made a polis of the Empire, a somewhat self-ruled city with an urban center and sacred central point that controlled its surrounding lands. Scythe mercenaries may have settled there, giving its new name. The Romans brought in central city planning, and built an imposing theater which may still be seen today. Scythopolis prospered and became the leading city of the Decapolis (Ten Towns) and the only one west of the Jordan.

Adjunct to the Stadium

There was another way to get from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee: the river road following the Jordan Valley. The Gospels mention the use of this road, which was used by Jews to avoid contact with Samaritans. But they never mention this Roman-occupied city, which would have put them in contact with pagans, presumably even more to be avoided than Samaritans. 

The Roman stadium in Scythopolis

The inhabitants of Scythopolis sided with the Romans during the Jewish uprising of 66 BC. On the other hand, a sarcophagus was found there which may have held a cousin of Herod the Great, reflecting Hasmonean rule prior to the Romans. Several churches were found there from the Byzantine era (330 thru 636 AD). With the Romans gone, the city reverted to its ancient name of Beit She'an, with a majority Christian population. Even so, Jewish, Samaritan, and Muslim minorities also lived there. The pagan temple in the city center was destroyed.

Fast forward through Muslim, Crusader, Ottoman, British, and Israelite rule to today, which finds the town of Beit She'an living beside ancient Scythopolis, one of the most spectacular Roman and Byzantine sites in Israel, a major tourist attraction.

Beit She'an in 1948

Source: Wikipedia