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117-618: For many centuries, Souf was the centre of al-Meradh region; which has been called المعراض in Arabic, because it defeated Bedouins used to attack on north Jordan during the 19th century. Later, this region was the base for the governorate of Jerash which was created according to the kingdom's new administrative divisions. A number of villages are considered an extension of the old town of Souf including: Kufr Khall , Balila , Thughretasfour, Jaba, Zagreet, Majar, and Megbleh. Recently, Souf has been attached to greater city of Jerash due to its proximity to

234-612: A "victor's welcome". Before leaving Antioch, he granted the County of Edessa to Joscelin of Courtenay. Baldwin and his wife were crowned king and queen in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. He and the Patriarch held a general assembly at the Council of Nablus on 16   January 1120. The prelates and noblemen who attended the meeting confirmed the clergy's right to collect the tithe and to bear arms "in

351-516: A coward who was "pitiful in body". Sökmen captured the town, but the fortress resisted his siege. Baldwin went to Antioch to raise new troops before returning to Saruj. He forced Sökmen to leave the town and executed all the townspeople who had cooperated with the Artuqids. One of his cousins, Joscelin of Courtenay, came to Edessa in 1102. Baldwin granted him lands to the west of the Euphrates. When

468-545: A devastating earthquake destroyed much of Jerash and its surroundings. In the early 12th century a fortress was built by a garrison stationed in the area by the Zahir ad-Din Toghtekin, atabeg of Damascus . Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem , captured and burned the fortress in 1121–1122. Although the site of the fortification has often been identified with the ruins of the temple of Artemis, there

585-522: A display of Roman army drill and battle tactics, ten gladiators fighting "to the death" and several Roman chariots competing in a classical seven-lap race around the ancient hippodrome. Jerash's economy largely depends on commerce and tourism. Jerash is also a main source of the highly educated and skilled workforce in Jordan. The location of the city, being just half an hour ride from the largest three cities in Jordan ( Amman , Zarqa and Irbid ), makes Jerash

702-428: A good business location. Jerash has two universities: Jerash Private University and Philadelphia University . The number of tourists who visited the ancient city of Jerash reached 214,000 during 2005. The number of non-Jordanian tourists was 182,000 last year, and the sum of entry charges reached JD900,000. The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is an annual celebration of Arabic and international culture during

819-450: A joint attack against Harran. Baldwin, Bohemond and Joscelin went together to Harran and entered into negotiations with the Seljuq garrison for a peaceful surrender. However, both Baldwin and Bohemond wanted to seize the wealthy town and the crusader army started disintegrating because of their conflict. Sökmen and Jikirmish attacked the crusaders' camp at Harran on 7   May. Applying

936-472: A major defeat in the Battle of the "Field of Blood" . Roger and hundreds of his soldiers died fighting and most who survived the battle were taken prisoner. Antioch was left almost undefended, but Ilghazi did not attack the city. Baldwin and Pons of Tripoli reached Antioch in late July or early August. The leaders of the city acknowledged Baldwin as regent for the lawful prince, the ten-year old Bohemond II, who

1053-407: A major distribution of fiefs, granting out some lordships but retaining other towns and territories as domain lands" in 1118. Baldwin also reorganized the royal household, making Hugh Caulis constable , Pagan butler, and John the chamberlain. Eustace accepted the barons' invitation and left Boulogne for Jerusalem. He had travelled as far as Apulia when he was informed of Baldwin's ascension to

1170-722: A monastery. Shortly after the council, Baldwin and Patriarch Warmund also sent letters to Pope Calixtus II and the Venetians , urging them to support the defense of the Holy Land. The crusaders especially needed the Venetians' ships against the Egyptians. Ilghazi and his nephew, Belek Ghazi , invaded Edessa and Antioch in May 1120. Being responsible for the defense of the northern crusader states, Baldwin decided to again lead his troops to Antioch, but

1287-451: A more recent archaeological museum, and presents the site of Jerash in a thematic approach with a focus on the evolution and development of the city of Jerash over time, as well as economy, technology, religion, and daily life. The center also displays further sculptures discovered in Jerash in 2016, including restored statues of Zeus and Aphrodite , as well as a marble head thought to represent

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1404-496: A pitched battle with the united crusader armies and retired first to Shaizar, and later to Mosul. In April 1112, Mawdud returned and besieged Edessa. His agents started secret negotiations with some Armenian soldiers in the town, but Joscelin, who was informed of the plot, warned Baldwin. Mawdud could not capture the town and withdrew to Mosul in June. Next year, he was murdered by Assassins at Damascus. Mawdud's invasions devastated

1521-505: A pitched battle, and al-Bursuqi retired to Aleppo. After reaching the age of majority, Bohemond II of Antioch came to Syria to claim his inheritance in October 1126. His arrival put an end to Baldwin's rule in Antioch, but Bohemond married Baldwin's second daughter, Alice. Baldwin, who had no sons, made his eldest daughter, Melisende, his heir in 1126 or 1127. Baldwin had already realized that

1638-663: A place mentioned by Josephus as the birthplace of Jewish Zealot leader Simon bar Giora , but other scholars identify it with modern-day Jurish . In the second half of the 1st century AD, the city of Gerasa achieved great prosperity. In AD 106, Geras was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia , which included the cities of Philadelphia (modern day Amman ), Petra and Bostra . The Romans ensured security and peace in this area, which enabled its people to devote their efforts and time to economic development and encouraged civic building activity. Emperor Trajan constructed roads throughout

1755-503: A raid against Ascalon, but Tancred and Baldwin soon returned to their realms. Tancred's ambitions in northern Syria irritated both Baldwin and Bernard of Valence, the Latin patriarch of Antioch. They started negotiations with Danishmend Gazi regarding Bohemond's release. Kogh Vasil , the Armenian lord of Raban and Kaisun , and Bohemond's Italian kinsmen contributed to his ransom. Bohemond

1872-501: A raid against Galilee. In July, he invaded Damascene territory and destroyed a fortress that Toghtekin had recently erected near Jerash . David IV of Georgia routed the united armies of Ilghazi and the Seljuq prince Toghrul Arslan in August. Taking advantage of Ilghazi's weakness, Baldwin launched a military campaign across the Orontes . In November this forced Ilghazi's son to hand over to

1989-475: A raid towards Kharput where Belek held Joscelin and other knights' captive, but he stopped near Gargar. While Baldwin was preparing to practice falconry on the morning of 18   April 1123, Belek attacked his camp and captured him. Baldwin was taken to the fortress of Kharput. While Belek was away in Aleppo in June, Joscelin's fifty Armenian supporters came to Kharput, disguising themselves as monks, and expelled

2106-584: A significant group of the Jerusalemite noblemen and clergy opposed the expedition. Patriarch Warmund refused to accompany the royal army and allowed Baldwin to take the True Cross with him only after lengthy negotiations. Baldwin and his army reached Antioch in June. Ilghazi agreed to sign a one-year truce, which secured the possession of Kafartab and two other fortresses for the crusaders. Baldwin returned to Jerusalem only in early 1121, after Toghtekin made

2223-617: A small Mamluk hamlet in the Northwest Quarter which indicates that Jerash was resettled before the Ottoman era. The excavations conducted since 2011 have shed light on the Middle Islamic period as recent discoveries have uncovered a large concentration of Middle Islamic/Mamluk structures and pottery. The ancient city has been gradually revealed through a series of excavations which commenced in 1925, and continue to this day. Jerash today

2340-513: A total of 6,000 akçe . In 1838 Jerash was noted as a ruin. Jerash has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate ( Köppen climate classification Csa ). Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Greek and Roman architecture in the world outside Italy. And is sometimes misleadingly referred to as the " Pompeii of the Middle East" or of Asia, referring to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation. One of

2457-416: A year and Ablgharib was forced into surrender in 1117. Baldwin granted the fortress to his cousin, Waleran of Le Puiset . In the same year, Kogh Vasil's brother, Bagrat, had to abandon Cyrrhus and Baldwin captured Constantine of Gargar . The childless Baldwin I of Jerusalem died on 2   April 1118, during a campaign against Egypt. According to the contemporaneous Albert of Aachen he had willed

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2574-555: Is a city in northern Jordan . The city is the administrative center of the Jerash Governorate , and has a population of 50,745 as of 2015. It is located 30.0 miles north of the capital city Amman . The earliest evidence of settlement in Jerash is in a Neolithic site known as Tal Abu Sowan, where rare human remains dating to around 7500 BC were uncovered. Jerash flourished during the Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods until

2691-805: Is found in other regions in the north of Jordan with slight differences depending on the place. Al-Magasel ( Arabic : المغاسل ) is located in Souf. A wide range of fruits is grown in Souf, including olives, grapes, figs, peaches, pears, plums, apples, apricots, almonds, and cherries. Beside the irrigated lands in Souf valley, there is a wide area of non-irrigated lands scattered over a number of hills and mountains which depend on seasonal rains. Locales include Manarah , Koom , Mrab'ah , Sabatah , Sahlat , Fanadeg , Mansoura , and Wadi Warran . Jerash Jerash ( Arabic : جرش Ǧaraš ; Greek : Γέρασα , romanized :  Gérasa ; Attic Greek : [gérasa] , Koinē Greek : [ˈgerasa] )

2808-464: Is frequently attended by members of the royal family of Jordan and is hailed as one of the largest cultural activities in the region. In addition performances of the Roman Army and Chariot Experience (RACE) were started at the hippodrome in Jerash. The show runs twice daily, at 11 am and at 2 pm, and at 10 am on Fridays, except Tuesdays. It features forty-five legionaries in full armor in

2925-499: Is home to one of the best preserved Greco-Roman cities, which earned it the nickname " Pompeii of the Middle East". Approximately 330,000 visitors arrived in Jerash in 2018, making it one of the most visited sites in Jordan. The city hosts the Jerash Festival , one of the leading cultural events in the Middle East that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Archaeologists have found ruins of settlements dating back to

3042-586: Is no evidence of the construction of a fortification in the temple in the 12th century. The location of this fort is probably to be found at the highest point of the city walls, in the north-eastern hills. Small settlements continued in Jerash during the Mamluk Sultanate , and Ottoman periods. This occurred particularly in the Northwest Quarter and around the Temple of Zeus, where several Islamic Mamluk domestic structures have now been excavated. In 1596, during

3159-513: Is well described in the Visitors Centre. The use of water power to saw wood or stone is well known in the Roman world: the invention occurred in the 3rd century BC. They converted the rotary movement from the mill into a linear motion using a crankshaft ; good examples are known also from Hierapolis and Ephesus . The archaeological site of Jerash has two museums in which are displayed archaeological materials and corresponding information about

3276-422: The Battle of Sarmin , Baldwin decided to annex the small Armenian principalities in the valley of the Euphrates. The Armenian Thoros I of Cilicia captured Kogh Vasil's successor, Vasil Dgha , who had made an alliance with Bursuq. Thoros sold Vasil Dgha to Baldwin, who forced his prisoner to renounce Raban and Kaisun in 1116. Next, Baldwin laid siege to Abu'l-Garib's fortress of Birejik . The siege lasted for

3393-506: The Doge of Venice , offering commercial privileges to the Venetians in return for their military assistance against the Egyptian towns on the coast. They captured Tyre on 7   or 8   July 1124. The contemporaneous Galbert of Bruges recorded that delegates came to Flanders from Jerusalem during Baldwin's captivity. They stated that Baldwin "was grasping and penurious and had not governed

3510-507: The Egyptians invaded the Kingdom of Jerusalem in May, Baldwin of Boulogne—who had been crowned king of Jerusalem—sent envoys to Tancred (who ruled Antioch) and Baldwin, seeking their assistance. They assembled their troops and marched to Jerusalem together, but by the time they arrived in late September, the Egyptians had returned to their headquarters at Ascalon . The three crusader rulers made

3627-720: The Holy Land during the First Crusade . He succeeded Baldwin of Boulogne as the second count of Edessa when he left the county for Jerusalem following his brother's death. He was captured at the Battle of Harran in 1104. He was held first by Sökmen of Mardin , then by Jikirmish of Mosul , and finally by Jawali Saqawa . During his captivity, Tancred , the Crusader ruler of the Principality of Antioch , and Tancred's cousin, Richard of Salerno , governed Edessa as Baldwin's regents . Baldwin

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3744-498: The Holy Sepulchre . Baldwin had been respected for his military talent, but he was notorious for his "love for money". Baldwin's birth year is unknown. It is only known that his father, Count Hugh I of Rethel , was born in the 1040s and Baldwin was already an adult by the 1090s. Baldwin was the lord of Bourcq when he joined the army of his kinsman Godfrey of Bouillon at the beginning of the First Crusade . The army departed for

3861-681: The Neolithic Age . Moreover, in August 2015, an archaeological excavation team from the University of Jordan unearthed two human skulls that date back to the Neolithic period (7500–5500 BC) at a site in Jerash. This forms solid evidence of inhabitance of Jordan in that period, especially in connection with the existence of 'Ain Ghazal Neolithic settlement in Amman . The importance of the discovery lies in

3978-615: The Pactum Balduini as lord of Beirut on 2   May 1125; Pagan the Butler was first mentioned as lord of Oultrejordain in 1126. According to William of Tyre, Pagan seized Oultrejordain after Roman of Le Puy and his son, Ralph, had been deprived of the territory. Murray argues that Baldwin must have confiscated Oultrejordain from Roman because Roman had been one of his opponents during his captivity. Murray also says that Baldwin allegedly adopted an expansionist policy against Damascus in

4095-514: The Tower of David to frighten the defenders of Jerusalem. Jerusalem fell to the crusaders on 15   July. Baldwin left Jerusalem in the retinue of Count Robert II of Flanders in late August. Robert returned to Europe, but Baldwin remained in Syria. Geoffrey of Bouillon died on 18   July 1100. Baldwin of Boulogne decided to return to Jerusalem to take possession of Geoffrey's inheritance. Baldwin

4212-472: The auditorium . In 2018, at least 14 marble sculptures were discovered in the excavation of the Eastern Baths of Gerasa, including images of Aphrodite and Zeus . A large Christian community lived in Jerash. A large cathedral was built in the city in the 4th century, the first of at least 14 churches built between the 4th and the 7th-century, many with superb mosaic floors. The supposed sawmill of Gerasa

4329-522: The people of God well". They offered the crown to Charles the Good , the Count of Flanders . Bruges's report shows that a faction of the Jerusalemite nobility attempted to dethrone the captive Baldwin. Being the head of the lineage from which the first two rulers of Jerusalem were descended, and also the overlord of their brother, Eustace, Charles the Good was an ideal candidate for the throne. However, he refused

4446-591: The Armenian townspeople to Samosata. After the Armenians started to move to Kaisun, Baldwin allowed those who remained in Samosata to return to Edessa in early 1114. Mawdud's successor, Aqsunqur al-Bursuqi , invaded the county in May 1114, but Edessa resisted his siege, forcing him to return to Mosul. The Sultan made Bursuq ibn Bursuq of Hamadan the supreme commander of the Seljuq armies. Bursuq moved on Edessa in early 1115, but he soon left for Aleppo. Lulu el-Yaya ,

4563-561: The Atabeg of Mosul, and his successor, Aqsunqur al-Bursuqi , launched a series of campaigns against Edessa in the early 1110s, devastating the eastern regions of the country. Baldwin accused Joscelin of treason for seizing the prosperous town of Turbessel from him in 1113 and captured the neighboring Armenian lordships in 1116 and 1117. Baldwin of Boulogne, the first king of Jerusalem, died on 2   April 1118. He bequeathed Jerusalem to his brother Count Eustace III of Boulogne , stipulating that

4680-832: The Hebrew-Aramaic script has led scholars to think that the place was formerly a synagogue, before being converted into a church. Gerasa was invaded by the Persian Sassanids in AD 614. In 636, the Byzantine army was defeated in the Battle of the Yarmuk by the invading Muslim forces and these territories became part of the Rashidun Caliphate . The city flourished during the Umayyad Caliphate . It had numerous shops and issued coins with

4797-710: The Holy Land in the spring of 1129. He married Melisende and Baldwin granted them the two wealthiest towns of the kingdom, Tyre and Acre. Hugh of Payns, who had achieved the adoption of the statutes of the Knights Templar at the Council of Troyes , returned to the kingdom accompanied by new crusaders. Toghtekin's successor, Taj al-Muluk Buri , ordered the massacre of the Nizari in Damascus in September 1129. The Nizari's local leader, Ismail al-Ajami, sent envoys to Baldwin and offered

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4914-624: The Holy Land most probably received official recognition at the council, according to historians Malcolm Barber and Christopher Tyerman . Baldwin temporarily lodged the knights in the royal palace on the Temple Mount and they became known as the Knights Templar . He offered Nabi Samwil to the Cistercians , but Bernard of Clairvaux ceded the place to the Premonstratensians who built

5031-509: The Holy Land on 15   August 1096, and reached Constantinople on 23 December. The Byzantine emperor , Alexios I Komnenos , urged the crusader leaders to take an oath of fealty to him. Godfrey of Bouillon appointed Baldwin, Conon of Montaigu and Geoffrey of Esch to represent him at a meeting with Alexios in January 1097. After Godfrey and his principal commanders swore fealty to the Emperor,

5148-576: The Jerash Festival became a component. However, the government revived the Jerash Festival as the "substitute (Jordan Festival) proved to be not up to the message intended from the festival." Baldwin II of Jerusalem Baldwin II , also known as Baldwin of Bourcq or Bourg (French: Baudouin ; c.  1075 – 21   August 1131), was Count of Edessa from 1100 to 1118, and King of Jerusalem from 1118 until his death. He accompanied Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin of Boulogne to

5265-490: The Jerusalemite troops captured Tyre with the assistance of a Venetian fleet. After he was released in August 1124, he tried to capture Aleppo , but al-Bursuqi forced him to abandon the siege in early 1125. Bohemond II came to Syria in October 1126. Baldwin gave his second daughter, Alice , in marriage to him and also renounced the regency. Baldwin planned to conquer Damascus, but he needed external support to achieve his goal. He married off his eldest daughter, Melisende , to

5382-458: The Jordan national census of 2004, the population of the city was 31,650 and was ranked as the 14th largest municipality in Jordan. According to the last national census in 2015, the population of the city was 50,745, while the population of the governorate was 237,059. Since 1981, the old city of Jerash has hosted the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts , a three-week-long summer program of dance, music, and theatrical performances. The festival

5499-559: The King's death. Decades later, William of Tyre recorded that Baldwin had been informed of his kinsman's death during his journey to Jerusalem. The question of Baldwin I's succession divided the barons and the prelates, according to William of Tyre. The highest-ranking prelate, Arnulf of Chocques, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, and Joscelin of Courtenay, who held the largest fief in the kingdom, argued that Baldwin should be elected without delay to avoid an interregnum. Others maintained that

5616-608: The Kingdom of Jerusalem. Thereafter Baldwin participated in the siege of Tripoli , which ended with the capture of the town by the crusaders. The Seljuq sultan instructed Mawdud to unite his troops with the Seljuq ruler of Armenia , Sökmen el-Kutbî , and the Artuqid Ilghazi against the crusaders. They laid siege to Edessa in April 1110. Baldwin sent envoys to Baldwin I of Jerusalem, who

5733-549: The Muses of the Olympic pantheon which were discovered at Jerash in 2016. The statues, which are Roman in date, were found in a fragmentary condition and have been partially restored. The museum also contains a well-preserved lead sarcophagus dated to the late 4th to 5th centuries and features Christian and pagan symbolism. The museum also has a number of sculptures, altars, and mosaics displayed outside. The Jerash Visitor Center serves as

5850-518: The Muslims as far as Tell Danith near Zardana . The crusaders and the united armies of Toghtekin and Ilghazi clashed in the Battle of Hab on 14   August. According to Walter the Chancellor , the crusaders routed the Muslims, but Matthew of Edessa stated that "neither side was defeated nor was victorious". Baldwin returned to Antioch two days later, where the townspeople and the patriarch gave him

5967-611: The Ottoman authorities directed the Circassian immigrants who were mainly of peasant stock to settle in Jerash, and distributed arable land among them. The new immigrants have been welcomed by the local people. Later, Jerash also witnessed waves of Palestinian refugees who flowed to the region in 1948 and 1967. The Palestinian refugees settled in two camps; Souf camp near the town of Souf and Gaza (Jerash) camp at Al Ḩaddādah village. The Jordanian census of 1961 found 3,796 inhabitants in Jerash, of whom 270 were Christians. According to

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6084-404: The Ottoman era, Jerash was noted in the census as Jaras , being located in the nahiya of Bani Ilwan in the liwa of Ajloun . It had a population of 12 Muslim households. They paid a fixed tax-rate of 25% on various agricultural products, including wheat, barley, olive trees/fruit trees, goats and beehives, in addition to occasional revenues and a press for olive oil/grape syrup;

6201-616: The Principality of Antioch persuaded Tancred to accept the arbitration of the Catholic prelates, who decided in favor of Baldwin; he returned to Edessa on 18   September 1108. In accordance with his treaty with Jawali, Baldwin released most of the Muslim prisoners held in Edessa. He also allowed the Muslim burghers of Saruj to build a mosque, and executed the unpopular rais (or governor) of

6318-488: The Roman Empress Julia Domna . Jerash has developed dramatically in the last century with the growing importance of the tourism industry in the city. Jerash is now the second-most popular tourist attraction in Jordan, closely behind the ruins of Petra . On the western side of the city, which contained most of the representative buildings, the ruins have been carefully preserved and spared from encroachment, with

6435-561: The Seljuq garrison from the fortress. Joscelin left Kharput to gather troops in Turbessel and Antioch, but Baldwin and the Armenian soldiers remained in the fortress to defend it against Belek. Belek returned to Kharput and forced Baldwin to surrender. Belek ordered the execution of the Armenians and transferred Baldwin to Harran. Baldwin was later imprisoned in the Citadel of Aleppo . On learning of Baldwin's captivity, Patriarch Warmund convoked

6552-406: The Seljuqs at the Battle of Azaz in late May. The battle has been described by historian Peter Lock as "one of the bloodiest engagements in the history of the crusader states". Spoils seized enabled Baldwin to pay off his ransom before his return to Jerusalem. The careers of some influential lords started around the time when Baldwin returned to Jerusalem in 1125. Walter I Brisebarre witnessed

6669-424: The atabeg of Aleppo, sought assistance from Ilghazi and Toghtekin, who also persuaded Roger of Salerno to join their coalition against Bursuq. At Roger's request, Baldwin I of Jerusalem, Pons of Tripoli and Baldwin also gathered their troops at Apamea in August. Bursuq chose to retreat and the crusader rulers dispersed. Taking advantage of the weakening of the Seljuqs' power after Roger of Salerno's victory at

6786-400: The battlefield to a nearby fortress. Tancred laid siege to it, but lifted the siege when he learnt of Jawali's approach. Believing that Baldwin had died, the Armenian burghers of Edessa held an assembly to set up a provisional government. After his return, Baldwin thought that the Armenians wanted to dethrone him and ordered the blinding of the ringleaders. The Armenian bishop of the town

6903-400: The besieged town. Al-Bursuqi decided to intervene and gathered his troops. On learning of al-Bursuqi's approach, Dubais ibn Sadaqa withdrew from Aleppo, which forced Baldwin to lift the siege on 25   January 1125. After more than two years absence, Baldwin returned to Jerusalem on 3   April. He renegotiated the Pactum Warmundi with the Venetians, approving most of its terms in

7020-429: The body using a leather belt, and a closed style called Doshdash . They also wear a special type of wide trousers called Serwal , and a head cover comes in white and red called Kufeiieh , Hattah or Selk which is fixed to the head using a black headband called Eqall . In special celebrations and ceremonies they wear a special type of cloak made of camel hair called Abaah comes in black, brown or beige. The costume

7137-486: The cause of defense". The council also ordered the punishment of adulterers, pimps, sodomites and bigamists, and prohibited sexual relations between Christians and Muslims. Other decrees established penalties against thieves and those who falsely accused others of crimes. The decisions of the council were the first examples of law making in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. A confraternity of knights established by Hugh of Payns and Godfrey de Saint-Omer to protect pilgrims in

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7254-504: The city as being principally inhabited by Syrians, and also having a small Jewish community. During the First Jewish–Roman War , Gerasa was among the few non-Jewish cities in the region not to kill or imprison its Jewish residents, and its residents even escorted any Jews who wanted to leave to the border. Gerasa was the birthplace of the mathematician Nicomachus of Gerasa ( Greek : Νικόμαχος ) ( c.  60  – c.  120 AD ). It has been proposed to identify it as Geresh,

7371-439: The city was founded by Alexander the Great and his general Perdiccas , who allegedly settled aged Macedonian soldiers there during the spring of 331 BC, when he left Egypt and crossed Syria en route to Mesopotamia . However, other sources, namely the city's former name of "Antioch on the Chrysorrhoas," point to a founding by Seleucid King Antioch IV , while still others attribute the founding to Ptolemy II of Egypt . In

7488-438: The crown should first be offered to Eustace in accordance with Baldwin I's last will. Some "great nobles", whom William of Tyre did not name, were appointed to inform Eustace of his brother's death. However, shortly after their departure, on Easter Day (14 April), Baldwin was anointed . His coronation was delayed for unknown reasons. Historian Malcolm Barber believes that Baldwin wished to be crowned along with his wife, who

7605-475: The crusader army was shipped to Asia Minor in February. Baldwin's cousin Baldwin of Boulogne and Tancred of Hauteville broke away from the main army to invade Cilicia around 15   September 1097. Baldwin accompanied them in Boulogne's contingent. He also participated in Boulogne's military campaigns against the Seljuq rulers of the fortresses on the plains near the River Euphrates . After seizing Ravendel , Turbessel and Edessa , Boulogne established

7722-420: The crusader leaders was brought about by marriage alliances: Baldwin's sister, Cecilia , was given in marriage to Roger of Salerno , who had succeeded Tancred in Antioch in late 1112; and Joscelin married Roger's sister, Maria. While Baldwin was away from his capital to take possession of Turbessel, the Armenians of Edessa continued to plot against him. He returned to the town and ordered the transportation of

7839-411: The crusaders Zardana, Atarib and other forts that Ilghazi had captured the previous year. In early 1122 Pons of Tripoli refused to pledge allegiance to Baldwin for unknown reasons. After Baldwin mustered his troops and marched against Tripoli, Pons paid homage to him without resistance. Ilghazi and Belek laid siege to Zardana in June, but Baldwin and Joscelin of Edessa's arrival forced them to lift

7956-408: The crusaders were unable to conquer Damascus without further reinforcements from Europe. After consulting with his nobles, he sent William I of Bures and Guy I Brisebarre to France to offer Melisende's hand to the powerful count of Anjou , Fulk V , in the autumn of 1127. Hugh of Payns and his five fellows accompanied the envoys. The embassy first visited Louis VI of France , who gave consent to

8073-464: The custody of Sökmen, passing to Ilghazi upon the latter's death. The citizens of Turbessel paid a ransom for Joscelin in 1107. Jikirmish laid siege to Edessa, but Tancred routed his troops, forcing him to flee. Jikirmish then took Baldwin to Mosul. Tancred captured a Seljuq princess of Jikirmish's household at Edessa. Jikirmish offered to pay 15,000 bezants in ransom, or to release Baldwin in return for her liberty. Bohemond and Tancred preferred

8190-413: The daughter of Gabriel , the Armenian lord of Melitene , which enabled him to consolidate his position among his mainly Armenian subjects. Sökmen , the Artuqid ruler of Mardin, attacked Saruj in early 1101. Baldwin attempted to relieve the town, but Sökmen routed his army, forcing him to return to Edessa. When relating these events, the Armenian historian, Matthew of Edessa , described Baldwin as

8307-516: The early 80s BC Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus besieged and conquered Gerasa, incorporating it into the Kingdom of Judea. Archeological findings indicate that public buildings in Gerasa may have been destroyed during that period. With the Roman conquest of the area in 63 BC, the short-lived Jewish rule of Gerasa came to an end. Pompey attached the city to the Decapolis , a league of Hellenistic cities that enjoyed considerable autonomy under Roman protection. The historian Josephus mentions

8424-461: The eastern regions of the county, but Joscelin's fief at Turbessel still flourished. In 1113 Baldwin persuaded Joscelin to come to Edessa, saying that he was dying and wanted to make his last will. Stating that Joscelin had not sent enough food to Edessa, Baldwin had him imprisoned and only released him after Joscelin renounced Turbessel. Joscelin soon left the county for Jerusalem, where Baldwin I granted Galilee to him. A new reconciliation between

8541-487: The first crusader state , the County of Edessa, in early 1098. Baldwin rejoined the main crusader army, which was marching towards Jerusalem, near Tyre in late May 1099. He and Tancred seized Bethlehem ; there was no resistance as the town was inhabited by local Christians. The crusaders laid siege to Jerusalem , and shortly afterwards Baldwin and Tancred captured an elderly Muslim nobleman. After he refused to convert to Christianity, Baldwin's soldiers beheaded him at

8658-520: The first to explore the site of Jerash in the 19th century was Prince Abamelek . Excavation and restoration of Jerash has been almost continuous since the 1920s. Remains in the Greco-Roman Gerasa include: Most of these monuments were built by donations of the city's wealthy citizens. The south theatre has a focus in the center of the pit in front of the stage, marked by a distinct stone, and from which normal speaking can be heard easily throughout

8775-545: The fortress of Banias to the crusaders in return for receiving asylum in the kingdom. Baldwin accepted the offer and his troops seized Banyas. Taking advantage of the presence of the new crusaders, he also decided to launch an attack on Damascus . He gathered all available troops and marched as far as the Wooden Bridge, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south-west of the town, in November. After Buri's Turcoman horsemen routed

8892-471: The kingdom to his eldest brother, Eustace III of Boulogne, "if by chance he would come", but also stipulated that Baldwin of Bourcq should be elected king if Eustace were unable to come "because of his age". Baldwin arrived in Jerusalem around the day when the late king's body was carried into the town. Albert of Aachen stated that Baldwin had come to celebrate Easter in Jerusalem without having any knowledge of

9009-568: The late 1120s to assuage the Jerusalemite noblemen's discontent. He made a raid against Damascene territory across the Jordan in early 1126. Accompanied by almost the whole army, Baldwin routed Toghtekin on 25   January and returned to the kingdom laden with booty. Shortly thereafter he supported Pons of Tripoli in capturing Rafniye and in raiding Homs. Al-Bursuqi laid siege to Atarib in July 1126. Baldwin again marched north and Joscelin of Edessa joined him at Artah . Both sides wanted to avoid

9126-491: The marriage. The negotiations between Fulk and Baldwin's envoys lasted for months. In August or September 1127, Baldwin launched a new military campaign against Damascene territory. Historian Steven Tibble proposes that the royal fortress at Wadi Musa was built shortly after this. Baldwin dispatched William I, Archbishop of Tyre , and Robert, Bishop of Lydda and Ramla , to the Holy See. Pope Honorius II stated that Baldwin

9243-406: The mid-eighth century AD, when the 749 Galilee earthquake destroyed large parts of it, while subsequent earthquakes contributed to additional destruction. However, in the year 1120, Zahir ad-Din Toghtekin, atabeg of Damascus ordered a garrison of forty men to build up a fort in an unknown site of the ruins of the ancient city, likely the highest spot of the city walls in the north-eastern hills. It

9360-407: The military and business. The women in Souf (Muslims, and Christians) used to wear a long black dress embroidered with colourful stripes called "The Costume" or Eshorsheh Essoufaniieh or Soufanian Dress. The dress has a unique design that reflect the special identity of Souf. The men used to wear a special type of robe which comes in two forms: an open style called Maznook which is tightened to

9477-509: The mint named "Jerash" in Arabic. It was also a centre for ceramic manufacture; molded ceramic lamps had Arabic inscriptions that showed the potter's name and Jerash as the place of manufacture. The large mosque and several churches that continued to be used as places of worship, indicated that during the Umayyad period Jerash had a sizable Muslim community that co-existed with the Christians. In 749,

9594-426: The modern city sprawling to the east of the river which once divided ancient Jerash in two. Recently the city of Jerash has expanded to include many of the surrounding areas. Jerash has an ethnically diverse population. The vast majority are Arabs, though the population includes small numbers of Kurds, Circassians and Armenians. Jerash became a destination for many successive waves of foreign migrants. In 1885,

9711-424: The money and Baldwin remained imprisoned. Before his departure for Europe in the autumn, Bohemond appointed Tancred to rule Antioch and their kinsman, Richard of Salerno, was entrusted with the administration of Edessa. A Turkish soldier of fortune, Jawali Saqawa, captured Jikirmish and seized Mosul in 1107. Joscelin started negotiations with Jawali over the release of Baldwin. Jawali demanded 60,000 dinars and

9828-570: The new city. Some Natives of Souf live in the city of Jerash and comprise small minorities in Amman and Irbid . During the last century, some Soufanian individuals have emigrated to the Arabian Peninsula , Europe and to the United States . The main profession in Souf was agriculture for centuries, but during the last decades, a growing number of people are working in higher education, government,

9945-602: The north to fight against the invaders. The envoys met with Baldwin in Tiberias, because he had just concluded a short campaign against a Bedouin tribe in Oultrejourdain. He gathered troops and departed for Antioch, taking a portion of the True Cross with him. Roger did not wait until Baldwin's arrival and marched from Antioch. On the plains of Sarmada Ilghazi's army encircled the crusaders' camp and on 28   June inflicted

10062-485: The offer and released Baldwin in the summer of 1108. Baldwin went to Edessa after his release, but Tancred demanded his oath of fealty in exchange for the town. Baldwin refused and went to Turbessel. After Tancred carried out a raid against Turbessel, they started peace negotiations, but could not reach a compromise. Baldwin made an alliance with Kogh Vasil against Tancred. Oshin of Lampron also sent troops—300 Pecheneg horsemen—to join them. Their raids against

10179-493: The offer. Murray tentatively associates the leader of the discontented noblemen with the Flemish Eustace Grenier . Belek died fighting against one of his rebellious officials on 6   May 1124, and Baldwin was seized by Ilghazi's son, Timurtash . Timurtash entrusted Sultan , the emir of Shaizar, with commencing negotiations for Baldwin's release with Joscelin and Morphia. According to their agreement, Baldwin

10296-504: The payment of the balance, Baldwin was released on 29   August 1124. Baldwin went to Antioch where Patriarch Bernard reminded him that he had not been authorized to renounce Antiochene territories and on 6   September 1124 forbade him to cede fortresses to Timurtash. On 6   October, Baldwin laid siege to Aleppo where the hostages for his ransom were held. Dubais ibn Sadaqa, and two Seljuq princes, Sultan Shah and Toghrul Arslan , joined him and Timurtash did not support

10413-429: The prelates and barons to an assembly which elected Eustace Grenier bailiff (or regent) of Jerusalem. After Grenier died on 15   June, William of Bures succeeded him as regent. The bailiffs and the patriarch closely cooperated with each other and other high-ranking officials in administering the kingdom during Baldwin's captivity. They made an alliance—the so-called Pactum Warmundi —with Domenico Michiel ,

10530-550: The province, and more trade came to Jerash. Emperor Hadrian visited Gerasa in AD 129–130, and the triumphal arch known as the Arch of Hadrian was built to celebrate this occasion. The city finally reached a size of about 80 ha (200 acres) within its walls. Beneath the foundations of a Byzantine church that was built in Gerasa in AD 530 there was discovered a mosaic floor with ancient Greek and Hebrew-Aramaic inscriptions. The presence of

10647-514: The rarity of the skulls, as archaeologists estimate that a maximum of 12 sites across the world contain similar human remains. Evidence of settlements dating to the Bronze Age (3200–1200 BC) have been found in the region. Jerash is the site of the ruins of the Greek city of Gerasa , also referred to as Antioch on the Golden River . Ancient Greek inscriptions from the city support that

10764-461: The release of the Muslim prisoners from Edessa. The Seljuq Sultan, Muhammad I Tapar , made the Mamluk Mawdud atabeg of Mosul. When Mawdud expelled Jawali from Mosul, Jawali fled to the fortress of Qalat Jabar, taking Baldwin with him. Joscelin paid 30,000 dinars to Jawali and offered himself as hostage to guarantee the payment of the balance. Jawali, who needed allies against Mawdud, accepted

10881-572: The river along with the other crusader leaders, hastily returned and assaulted Mawdud's troops, although they outnumbered his small retinue. Baldwin and his men were only saved by Baldwin I and Tancred, who had followed on the other bank of the river. In July 1111 Mawdud launched a new invasion against the county and laid siege to Turbessel. While Mawdud was besieging Turbessel, Sultan , the Munquidite emir (or ruler) of Shaizar , sent envoys to him, seeking his assistance against Tancred. Mawdud lifted

10998-453: The rulers of the other crusader states decided to leave the county. On the King's advice, Baldwin ordered the transfer of the local Christian (predominantly Armenian) peasants to the lands to the west of the Euphrates. Taking advantage of the gathering of the Christian peasants by the river and their mainly Armenian escort, Mawdud attacked and massacred them. Baldwin, who had already crossed

11115-465: The siege in July. Belek ambushed and captured Joscelin near Saruj on 13   September. Ilghazi reoccupied Atarib, but he died on 3   November 1122. His lands were divided among his sons and nephews. Baldwin, who was still in Antioch, persuaded Badr ad-Daulah Suleiman, the new ruler of Aleppo, to restore Atarib to the crusaders on 2   April 1123. Baldwin recaptured Birejik and made Geoffrey, Lord of Marash , regent of Edessa. Baldwin made

11232-529: The siege of Edessa and withdrew towards Harran. Baldwin and Tancred accused each other of having incited the invasion. Tancred also claimed sovereignty over the County of Edessa, saying that its territory had been subject to Antioch under the Byzantine Empire . Baldwin I refuted Tancred's claim, declaring himself the head of the Latin East . After a short campaign against the neighboring Muslim territories,

11349-478: The siege of Turbessel and moved to help Shaizar. Toghtekin , the atabeg of Damascus, joined him and they decided to reconquer Tripoli in September. The concentration of Muslim forces alarmed the crusaders and Baldwin I of Jerusalem summoned all crusader rulers to his camp. Baldwin complied, accompanied by his two powerful vassals, Joscelin and Pagan of Sajar. The smaller Muslim rulers had meanwhile left Mawdud's camp and returned to Mesopotamia. Mawdud did not risk

11466-513: The site and its rich history. The Jerash Archaeological Museum , which is the older of the two museums, is found on top of the mound known as "Camp Hill" just east of the Cardo and overlooking the Oval Plaza. The small museum contains a chronological display of artifacts found in and around Jerash from prehistoric to Islamic times. The museum displays a unique group of small statues of a group identified as

11583-464: The so-called Pactum Balduini , but also stipulating that the Venetians were to provide military assistance to the kingdom. After al-Bursuqi, Toghtekin and Khirkan of Homs captured Kafartab and laid siege to Zardana, Baldwin again went north. Few knights accompanied him from the kingdom, which according to Murray and Barber may have been a sign of discontent over his frequent campaigns. Pons of Tripoli and Joscelin of Edessa joined him and they defeated

11700-595: The southern frontier and urged Roger and Pons to send reinforcements from Antioch and Tripoli. Neither the Egyptians nor the crusaders risked a pitched battle and both armies were dissolved three months later. Baldwin and Joscelin made a raid against Damascene territory in the autumn and defeated Toghtekin's son, Taj al-Muluk Buri near Daraa . Ilghazi, Toghtekin and the Munquidites of Shaizar made an alliance and their troops started raiding Antioch and Edessa in May 1119. Roger sent envoys to Baldwin, urging him to come to

11817-474: The summer months. Jerash is located 48 km north of the capital city of Amman. The festival site is located within the ancient ruins of Jerash, some of which date to the Roman age (63 BC). The Jerash Festival is a festival which features poetry recitals, theatrical performances, concerts and other forms of art. In 2008, authorities launched the Jordan Festival, a nationwide theme-oriented event under which

11934-492: The tactic of feigned retreat , they drew the crusaders into an ambush, capturing Baldwin and Joscelin. Bohemond and Tancred rode to Edessa to save the town. Benedict, Archbishop of Edessa , who was also captured but quickly released, and the Edessene knights elected Tancred regent for the captive Baldwin. Baldwin was first taken to Sökman's tent, but Jikirmish's soldiers broke into it and dragged him away. Joscelin remained in

12051-446: The throne was to be offered to Baldwin if Eustace failed to come to the Holy Land. Arnulf of Chocques , the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem , and Joscelin of Courtenay, who held the largest fief in the Kingdom of Jerusalem , convinced their peers to elect Baldwin king. Baldwin took possession of most towns in the kingdom and gave Edessa to Joscelin. After the army of the Principality of Antioch

12168-606: The throne. The delegates tried to convince him to continue his journey, saying that Baldwin's election was illegal, but Eustace preferred to return home. His predecessor's last campaign against Egypt brought about a rapprochement between Egypt and Damascus. Baldwin sent envoys to Toghtekin in Damascus to argue against his making an alliance with the Egyptian vizier, Al-Afdal Shahanshah , but Toghtekin demanded Oultrejourdain in return for his neutrality. Toghtekin launched an incursion against Galilee and Al-Afdal gathered his troops near Ascalon in May or June 1118. Baldwin hurried to

12285-452: The town, who was a convert from Islam. Jawali's alliance with Baldwin alarmed Fakhr al-Mulk Radwan, the Seljuq ruler of Aleppo , which brought about a rapprochement between Radwan and Tancred. When Jawali launched a military expedition against Aleppo, Baldwin and Joscelin of Courtney joined him, while Tancred came to assist Radwan. Radwan and Tancred routed Jawali, Baldwin and Joscelin near Turbessel in late September 1108. Baldwin fled

12402-504: The wealthy Count Fulk V of Anjou in 1129. The new troops who accompanied Fulk to Jerusalem enabled Baldwin to invade Damascene territory, but he could seize only Banias with the support of the Nizari (or Assassins) in late 1129. After Bohemond II was killed in a battle in early 1130, Baldwin forced Alice to leave Antioch and assumed the regency for her daughter, Constance . He fell seriously ill in Antioch and took monastic vows before he died in

12519-500: Was besieging Beirut , urging him to come to his rescue, but the king did not abandon the siege until Beirut fell on 13   May. Before departing for Edessa, Baldwin I celebrated Pentecost in Jerusalem. The King persuaded Bertrand of Tripoli , Joscelin of Courtenay and other crusader leaders to join his campaign, and the Armenian Kogh Vasil and Ablgharib also sent contingents. On their arrival, Mawdud and his allies lifted

12636-407: Was almost annihilated on 28 June 1119, Baldwin was elected regent for the absent Prince Bohemond II of Antioch . The frequent Seljuq invasions of Antioch forced him to spend most of his time in the principality, which caused discontent in Jerusalem. After Belek captured him in April 1123, a group of noblemen offered the throne to Count Charles I of Flanders , but Charles refused. During his absence,

12753-507: Was captured in 1121 by Baldwin II , King of Jerusalem , and utterly destroyed. Then, the Crusaders immediately abandoned Jerash and withdrew to Sakib (Seecip); the eastern border of the settlement. Jerash was then deserted until it reappeared in the historical record at the beginning of Ottoman rule in the area during the early 16th century. In the census of 1596, it had a population of 12 Muslim households. However, archaeologists found

12870-586: Was living in southern Italy. Baldwin distributed the estates of the noblemen who had perished in the Field of Blood among his retainers, mainly through giving the widows of the deceased lords to them in marriage. Meanwhile, Ilghazi and Toghtekin joined their forces and started to capture the Antiochene fortresses to the east of the Orontes River . Baldwin gathered almost all available crusader troops and marched against

12987-552: Was not in the kingdom at the time. Baldwin promised the County of Edessa to Joscelin, but Joscelin remained in the kingdom to secure the defence of Galilee. Baldwin convoked the noblemen to an assembly "on an appointed day" to receive "fealty and an oath of allegiance from them", according to Albert of Aachen. He also secured the direct royal control of eight important towns, including Nablus , Jaffa , Acre , Sidon and Tiberias . Modern historian Alan Murray argues that Albert of Aachen's words are evidence that Baldwin "carried out

13104-413: Was obliged to pay a huge fine. To put an end to the conflicts between the crusader leaders, Baldwin I of Jerusalem summoned them in the name of the "Church of Jerusalem" to Mount Pilgrim near Tripoli in April 1109. At the meeting, the king mediated a reconciliation between Baldwin and Tancred, who acknowledged Baldwin's rule in the County of Edessa in exchange for receiving Galilee and other fiefs in

13221-457: Was ransomed by his cousin, Joscelin of Courtenay , lord of Turbessel , in the summer of 1108. Tancred attempted to retain Edessa, but Bernard of Valence , the Latin patriarch of Antioch , persuaded him to restore the county to Baldwin. Baldwin allied with Jawali, but Tancred and his ally, Radwan of Aleppo , defeated them at Turbessel. Baldwin and Tancred were reconciled at an assembly of the crusader leaders near Tripoli in April 1109. Mawdud ,

13338-479: Was set free in May 1103. Baldwin granted villages to the Armenian prelate, Barsegh Pahlavuni , because he wanted to strengthen his position among his Armenian subjects. Baldwin's troops made frequent raids against the fertile plains around Harran . Sökmen and Jikirmish, the atabeg of Mosul , made an alliance and invaded Edessa in May 1104. While their troops were assembling at Ras al-Ayn , Baldwin sent envoys to Joscelin and Bohemond and persuaded them to make

13455-470: Was staying in Antioch when Baldwin of Boulogne decided to leave Edessa. He was a military commander of the troops of Bohemond I of Antioch who had recently been captured by Danishmend Gazi . Baldwin of Boulogne summoned Baldwin from Antioch and granted him the County of Edessa . Baldwin swore fealty to Baldwin of Boulogne, who left Edessa for Jerusalem on 2   October 1100. Baldwin married Morphia ,

13572-421: Was the lawful ruler of Jerusalem in a letter of 29   May 1129. Christopher Tyerman and Hans Eberhard Mayer agree that the pope wrote his letter to remove any doubts about the legitimacy of Baldwin's rule. On the other hand, Stephen of La Ferté , who had succeeded Warmund of Picquigny as patriarch in July 1128, turned against Baldwin and demanded Jerusalem for the patriarchate. Fulk of Anjou arrived to

13689-449: Was to pay 80,000 dinars and to cede Atarib, Zardana, Azaz and other Antiochene fortresses to Timurtash. Baldwin also promised that he would assist Timurtash against the Bedouin warlord, Dubais ibn Sadaqa. After a quarter of Baldwin's ransom was paid and a dozen hostages (including Baldwin's youngest daughter Ioveta and Joscelin's son Joscelin II ) were handed over to Timurtash to secure

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