Amman, Jordan, the city the Romans called ‘Philadelphia,’ is a spectacular conglomeration of white buildings spread over some 19 hillsides.
At the center of the old town is a well-preserved Roman ampitheater, still used today for plays and concerts.
Just up the hill are remains of the Roman citadel which includes columns of the Temple of Hercules, built to honor Marcus Aurelius (one of the good Roman emperors who lived from 161 to 180 and, coincidentally, died in Vienna).
Jordan’s Archaeological Museum holds a number of interesting items, including kidskin fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls,
fine examples of elegant Islamic arts,
as well as this two-headed statue found in 1983 at Ain Ghazal and dated to the Early Neolithic period 8000 - 6000 B.C. and thought to be “the earliest statues ever done throughout human civilization.” The guide thought the statue bore a resemblance to Michael Jackson.
A colossal ancient hand rests on the hillside:
One of the shops we saw as we drove back to our hotel was this one offering fresh sugarcane juice for sale.
haha awesome! I was there in August! The amphitheater was closed when I got there, but I met a tour guide who lived in Richardson Texas who showed me all around.
ReplyDeleteALso hiked up to the top of the hill to check out the ruins there.
Did you go to Petra? Across to Jerusalem? Dead sea? Jordan is an underrated place!
Hi, Aidan,
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly that Jordan is underrated. We had a great time. Stay tuned for Petra and the Dead Sea. We are in Paris now.
Martha