Three Hours in Jerash: Life Under the Shadow of the Roman Empire

It was past three in the afternoon when the car arrived in Jerash. The sun was blazing, turning the sandstone a deep golden color. With limited time, we decided to keep our pace short. We started with Hadrian's Arch, which stands majestically at the entrance. Just seeing it, you know you've truly arrived in a Roman city. Although it's not complete, its tall arches still evoke the grandeur of the past. A short walk away is the Hippodrome, a racecourse that once held tens of thousands of people. Today, only the concave stone amphitheater and a quiet plaza remain. I sat and rested for a moment, imagining people watching chariot races. The cheers must have echoed throughout the arena, but now the wind can be heard blowing through the arches. Imagine standing in Jerash two thousand years ago, not as emperors or nobles, but as ordinary citizens in the Roman Empire. Racing wasn't just fun back then. It was about choosing sides. Some cheered for the green team, while others wore blue headbands to make a statement. We knew that at the finish line, there was a big stake. It wasn't just the medals, but the city's pride and the power behind the team. Then we headed to the Forum (Oval Plaza), the focal point of the ancient city. Fifty-six arched columns surround a wide central stone plaza. Standing there, it's like being enveloped in its splendour. Continuing onto the Cardo Maximus, I saw tall columns lining both sides. The cobblestone streets still have visible cartwheel tracks, a true relic of Roman life. Although I hadn't reached the end of the road, I could tell from the beginning that this street was once the city's main artery. With little time left, I stopped to see the Temple of Artemis. The massive columns still stood out in the afternoon sun. The direct sunlight made the columns stand out white against the sky, and the sky was just beginning to change color. The entire trip took just over two hours before the light began to fade. For me, the afternoon in Jerash was a taste of the Roman city in the heart of Jordan. While I didn't get to see every corner, it was enough to understand that there's more to this country than just Petra and the Red Sea. There are still ancient cities whose history is vividly told just by walking through them. #Jerah #jordan