DECAPOLIS

league of 10 ancient Greek cities in eastern Palestine that was formed after the Roman conquest of Palestine in 63 Bc . The name Decapolis also denotes the roughly contiguous territory formed by these cities, all but one of which lay east of the Jordan River. The 10 cities of the league were Scythopolis (modern Bet She'an, Israel), Hippos, Gadara, Raphana, Dion (or Dium), Pella, Gerasa, Philadelphia (modern Amman, Jordan), Canatha, and Damascus (now the capital of Syria). Damascus lay the farthest north, while Philadelphia lay the farthest south. The cities participated in the Decapolis as a means of mutual protection and security against their Semitic neighbours. The league was subject to the Roman governor of Syria, though his authority was somewhat tenuous in eastern Palestine. The cities of the Decapolis created a rich Hellenistic culture that produced the philosopher-satirist Menippus, among other figures. The league survived until the 2nd century AD.