80
GADARA, GADAKEXES
GAINS i.y
called Gadaris (BJ III. iii. 1 ; Strabo, xvi. ii. 45). It was one of the cities of Decapolis, and is called by Josephu3 the capital of Pera>a (i'./ IV. vii. 3), though in anotlier passage {,BJ III. iii. 3) he gives the bounds of Penua from north to south as from Pella to Macha;rus. It is frequently mentioned by Josephus in conne.xion with Ccele-Syria {.47!*. XIII. xiii. 3). The main roads from Scj-tho|)olis and Tiberias to Damascus and Gerasa passed through it. Josephus calls it a Greek town (Ant. xvil. xi. 4 ; BJ IL vi. 3), but it is evident from the historical accounts that many Jews were living in and around the city (BJ II. xviii. 5), and it is probable that the number of Jews living around may have fluctuated from time to time and have depended on the friendly nature of the government.
The site of Gadara has been recognized at the ruins of Umm ^eis, which extend over the summit of a high hill, 1200 ft. above the Mediterranean, east of the Jordan on the southern side of the gorge of the Shcri'at el-MandhUr (Jarmflk or Hioromax), about 6 miles south-east of the southern side of the Lake of Gennesaret. At the foot of the hUl, about 3 miles north of Umm Kcis on the right or north bank of the Sheri'at, in a flat space below the cliffs, are the remains of the celebrated hot spring, baths, and buildings of Amatha, described b3' Eusebius, Antoninus Martyr, and Strabo. There are several hot springs along the bank of the river, but those clustered together at this spot are the most copious. The largest spring gives off more water than that of Tiberias ; the temperature is 110° Fahrenheit. The water is strongly impregnated with sulphur. These springs are much resorted to by the Bedawin for various diseases. The ruins about the baths are very extensive, giving the impression that this spot was also used as a favourite watering-place by the inhabitants of Gadara during inclement weather (Wilson, Recovery of Jerusalem).
Umm ^eis is situated at the extreme north- western border of the high land of Northern 'Ajh7n, and commands a magnificent view of the Sea of Tiberias, Southern Jauldn, the Jordan Valley, Galilee, and Mount Tabor. There could hardly be a second point in this part of 'Ajlun, which com- bines so perfectly the advantages due to a magni- ficent soil and a commanding position (Northern 'Ajlun).
The ruins of Umm ^eis contain the remains of a very handsome and extensive city, with buildings of great maOTificence, which appear to have been overthrown by an earthquake, many of the build- ings remaining as perfect in their ruin as though the shock had taken place yesterday. Josephus records an earthquake having occurred wliich devastated the country, B.C. 31 (Ant. xv. v. 2), and the ruins of Umm ^eis may be due to an earthquake equally severe at a later period. There are to be seen among the ruins two large theatres, a basilica, a temple, the main street running east and west, ^vith colonnades, the columns lying just as they fell, and many large private buildings, the whole surrounded by a city wall vAVa gates. There is a large reservoir, and an aqueduct brought water into the city. The columns are surmounted by Corinthian capitals. The basalt paving is in places quite perfect, and retains traces of the marks of chariot wiieels. The eastern theatre is in an almost perfect state of preservation ; the approach to it would have been extremely grand, passing from the main street over a great platform sur- rounded by columns. A very interesting feature is the large Necropolis on the east and north-east side of the town, in which there are both rock- hewn tombs and sarcophagi ; the former are cut in the limestone rock without any attempt at con- cealment. A flight of steps leads down to a small
court, from which two or three doors give access t« the chambers : the doors are of stone, many of them still perfect, with stone hinges similar to those found in the Hauran. These tombs are inhabited by the present dwellers at Umm J^ieis. Outside the town, to the east, the ancient name Gadara is still preseired in the name of the ruins, Jedur Umm f^eis (Wilson, Ilecovenj of Jerusalem ; Schumacher, Northern 'Ajliin ; Macgregor, Rob Roy on the Jordan). The Christians of Nazareth were in the habit of holding a fair at Umm I^eis, until in recent years, the Uedawin having overrun the country, they were obliged to desist.
C. Wauren. GADDI ('-a 'rax fortune').— The Manassite sent as one of the twelve spies, Nu 13" P.
GADDIEL (^H-^.i 'God is my fortune' •).— The Zebul unite sent as one of the twelve spies, Nu 13'" P.
GADDIS (KoSJis, otherwise TaSilt, A; TaSid, K j
Gaddis, Vulg. j •_•»! =Gadi, Syr. ; 1 Mac 2"), the
surname of Johanan or John, the eldest brother of Judas Maccabanis. The name perhaps represents the Heb. 'la, Gaddi (Nu 13"), meaning ' my fortune.' H. A. White.
GADI (n; ; of. Nabata-an nj (?nO. Euting, No. 25 ; Palmyrene k-ij, de Vogii^, No. 32 ; Vaboel B, Y(SSd, TaXXclA, VaSil Luc.).— Father of Menahem king of Israel (2 K 15'«- "). C. F. BURNEV.