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The Decapolis was established as a political entity by the Roman general Pompey in 63 BC.
Answer: True
Following his campaigns in the East, Pompey reorganized the region in 63 BC, granting autonomy to a confederation of Hellenistic cities, thereby establishing the Decapolis.
Pompey's conquest liberated the Decapolis cities from Hasmonean rule.
Answer: True
Prior to Roman intervention, these Hellenized cities were under the control of the Jewish Hasmonean Kingdom, and Pompey's arrival was perceived as a liberation from this rule.
The Hellenized populations of the Decapolis cities welcomed Pompey as a liberator from Hasmonean control.
Answer: True
The Greek-speaking inhabitants of these cities viewed Pompey's intervention as a means to escape the rule of the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty.
The Hellenistic period relevant to the founding of Decapolis cities ended with the Roman conquest of Coele-Syria in 63 BC.
Answer: True
The period of Hellenistic influence and city foundation in the region concluded with the Roman subjugation of Coele-Syria, marked by Pompey's campaign in 63 BC.
The Decapolis was established by the Seleucid Empire around 200 BC to counter Roman expansion.
Answer: False
The Decapolis was established by the Roman general Pompey in 63 BC, not by the Seleucid Empire, and its establishment was not primarily to counter Roman expansion.
Pompey's conquest led to the liberation of the Decapolis cities from Roman rule and their subsequent alliance with Parthia.
Answer: False
Pompey's conquest liberated the cities from Hasmonean rule and placed them under Roman protection, not from Roman rule, and there is no mention of an alliance with Parthia.
Most Decapolis cities were founded during the Roman Republic, specifically after Pompey's conquest in 63 BC.
Answer: False
Most Decapolis cities were founded during the Hellenistic period, between Alexander the Great's death (323 BC) and the Roman conquest (63 BC), not primarily after the conquest.
The Hellenized populations of the Decapolis cities welcomed Pompey as a liberator from Greek Seleucid rule.
Answer: False
While the Hellenized populations welcomed Pompey as a liberator, the liberation was from Hasmonean rule, not directly from Greek Seleucid rule, although the Seleucids had previously influenced the region.
Who established the Decapolis as a political entity and when?
Answer: Pompey, 63 BC
The Roman general Pompey established the Decapolis in 63 BC as part of his reorganization of the eastern Mediterranean.
What was a key significance of Pompey's conquest in 63 BC for the Decapolis?
Answer: It established the 'Pompeian era' for counting years.
Pompey's reorganization in 63 BC established the 'Pompeian era,' a calendar system used by the Decapolis cities, and liberated them from Hasmonean rule.
During which period were most Decapolis cities founded?
Answer: Between Alexander the Great's death (323 BC) and the Roman conquest (63 BC)
The majority of the Decapolis cities were established during the Hellenistic period, specifically between 323 BC and 63 BC.
What was the relationship between the Decapolis cities and the Hasmonean Kingdom before Roman intervention?
Answer: The Decapolis cities were ruled by the Jewish Hasmonean Kingdom.
Prior to the Roman intervention by Pompey, the Decapolis cities were under the dominion of the Jewish Hasmonean Kingdom.
What timeframe defines the Hellenistic period relevant to the founding of Decapolis cities?
Answer: From the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC) to the Roman conquest of Coele-Syria (63 BC).
The Hellenistic period relevant to the founding of the Decapolis cities spans from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC to the Roman conquest of Coele-Syria in 63 BC.
The name 'Decapolis' originates from a Greek term meaning 'Ten Cities'.
Answer: True
The term 'Decapolis' is derived from the Greek 'Dekápolis,' signifying 'Ten Cities,' referring to a league of Hellenistic urban centers.
Scytopolis was the only Decapolis city located west of the Jordan River.
Answer: True
Scytopolis, identified with modern Beit She'an, was indeed the sole city within the traditional Decapolis league situated west of the Jordan River.
Pliny the Elder's list of the ten Decapolis cities includes Philadelphia, Gerasa, Gadara, Pella, Dion, Raphana, Scythopolis, Hippos, Canatha, and Damascus.
Answer: True
The Roman encyclopedist Pliny the Elder documented the ten principal cities of the Decapolis in his Natural History.
The Decapolis cities are located across modern-day Jordan, Israel, and Syria.
Answer: True
The geographical distribution of the Decapolis cities spanned territories that now constitute parts of Jordan, Israel, and Syria.
Philadelphia served as the capital of the Decapolis league.
Answer: True
Philadelphia, located in modern-day Jordan, is recognized as having served as the administrative capital of the Decapolis league.
Josephus noted Scythopolis as the largest among the ten Decapolis towns.
Answer: True
The historian Josephus specifically identified Scythopolis as the largest of the ten cities constituting the Decapolis.
The name 'Decapolis' signifies a league of ten kingdoms established during the Hellenistic period.
Answer: False
The term 'Decapolis' refers to a league of ten cities, not kingdoms, established during the Hellenistic period.
All cities of the Decapolis were located west of the Jordan River, forming a contiguous bloc in ancient Israel.
Answer: False
While many Decapolis cities were east of the Jordan River, Scythopolis was located west of it, and the cities did not form a single contiguous bloc.
According to Pliny the Elder, the Decapolis included cities such as Athens, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, along with Damascus and Scythopolis.
Answer: False
Pliny the Elder's list of the Decapolis cities did not include Athens, Rome, Alexandria, or Antioch; it comprised ten specific cities in the Levant.
All cities of the Decapolis are located within the modern nation of Israel.
Answer: False
The cities of the Decapolis were spread across modern-day Jordan, Israel, and Syria, not exclusively within Israel.
Philadelphia served as a minor city within the Decapolis, with Damascus being recognized as its primary capital.
Answer: False
Philadelphia is recognized as the capital of the Decapolis league, not a minor city, although Damascus was also a significant urban center.
Josephus stated that Scythopolis was the smallest of the ten Decapolis towns, making it less significant than others.
Answer: False
The historian Josephus noted Scythopolis as the largest among the ten Decapolis towns, not the smallest.
What does the name 'Decapolis' signify?
Answer: Ten Cities
The name 'Decapolis' is derived from the Greek term 'Dekápolis,' meaning 'Ten Cities,' referring to the league of urban centers.
Which Decapolis city was unique in its location relative to the Jordan River?
Answer: Scythopolis
Scythopolis was the only city among the traditional ten Decapolis cities situated west of the Jordan River.
According to Pliny the Elder's Natural History, which of the following was NOT listed as one of the ten Decapolis cities?
Answer: Jerusalem
Pliny the Elder's list of the Decapolis cities included Gerasa, Pella, and Gadara, but not Jerusalem.
In which modern-day countries are the cities of the Decapolis located?
Answer: Jordan, Israel, and Syria
The geographical extent of the Decapolis cities encompasses territories within modern-day Jordan, Israel, and Syria.
What role did Philadelphia play within the Decapolis?
Answer: It served as the capital of the Decapolis.
Philadelphia is recognized as the capital city of the Decapolis league, playing a central role in its administration.
What did the historian Josephus note about Scythopolis in relation to the other Decapolis cities?
Answer: It was the largest of the ten towns.
The historian Josephus observed that Scythopolis was the largest among the ten cities comprising the Decapolis.
The cities of the Decapolis were predominantly Greek and Hellenistic in culture.
Answer: True
These cities were characterized by their Greek language, customs, religion, and political structures, distinguishing them from the surrounding Semitic populations.
The term 'Hellenization' refers to the process by which Greek culture, language, and political structures were spread and adopted in the region.
Answer: True
Hellenization describes the diffusion and assimilation of Greek cultural elements, including language, governance, and societal norms, into non-Greek regions.
The cities of the Decapolis were predominantly Greek and Hellenistic in culture, language, religion, and political structure.
Answer: True
The defining characteristic of the Decapolis cities was their strong adherence to Greek and Hellenistic cultural norms, encompassing language, religious practices, and governance models.
The primary cultural identity of the Decapolis cities was Jewish, with Greek influence being minimal.
Answer: False
The Decapolis cities were characterized by a predominantly Greek and Hellenistic cultural identity, with Greek influence being substantial, not minimal.
Roman culture had minimal impact on the Decapolis, with cities retaining their original Semitic architectural styles exclusively.
Answer: False
Roman culture, particularly in urban planning and architecture, had a significant impact on the Decapolis cities, evident in features like grid layouts and public buildings.
Cultural interaction in the Decapolis was minimal, with Greek colonists and indigenous populations remaining culturally distinct without borrowing.
Answer: False
There was significant cultural interaction and borrowing between Greek colonists and indigenous populations in the Decapolis, leading to syncretic practices and cultural blending.
'Hellenization' in the Decapolis context refers to the process of adopting local Semitic languages and customs by the Greek population.
Answer: False
'Hellenization' refers to the spread and adoption of Greek culture, language, and political structures, not the adoption of Semitic customs by Greeks.
Only Koine Greek was spoken in the Decapolis, reflecting a purely Hellenistic linguistic environment.
Answer: False
While Koine Greek was prevalent, other languages such as Aramaic, Arabic, and Latin were also spoken in the Decapolis, indicating a diverse linguistic landscape.
What was the primary cultural identity of the Decapolis cities?
Answer: Greek and Hellenistic
The cities of the Decapolis were predominantly characterized by Greek and Hellenistic culture, including their language, religion, and political organization.
What does the term 'Hellenization' refer to in the context of the Decapolis?
Answer: The spread and adoption of Greek culture, language, and political structures.
'Hellenization' denotes the process through which Greek culture, language, and political systems were disseminated and adopted within the Decapolis region.
Which of the following was NOT a common language spoken in the Decapolis?
Answer: Hebrew
The common languages spoken in the Decapolis included Koine Greek, Aramaic, Arabic, and Latin. Hebrew is not listed as a common language in the provided source material.
Under Roman rule, the Decapolis cities functioned as autonomous city-states.
Answer: True
The Decapolis cities maintained a significant degree of political autonomy as individual city-states, operating under Roman protection rather than direct provincial integration initially.
The minting of autonomous coins by the Decapolis cities provides evidence of their self-governing status.
Answer: True
The issuance of coinage bearing inscriptions indicative of self-governance serves as significant evidence for the autonomous status of these city-states within the Roman sphere.
Roman urban planning, including grid layouts with cardo and decumanus streets, influenced the Decapolis cities.
Answer: True
The adoption of Roman urban planning principles, such as orthogonal street grids, reflects the integration of Roman architectural and civic traditions into the Decapolis.
The 'Pompeian era,' beginning in 63 BC, was used as a calendar era for the Decapolis cities.
Answer: True
The year 63 BC, marking Pompey's reorganization of the region, served as the epochal year for the 'Pompeian era,' a calendar system utilized by the Decapolis cities throughout subsequent periods.
The construction of Roman roads fostered strong commercial ties among the Decapolis cities.
Answer: True
The development of Roman road networks facilitated trade and communication, thereby strengthening economic connections between the cities of the Decapolis.
The Decapolis ceased to be a distinct administrative unit when Emperor Trajan annexed Arabia Petraea in AD 106.
Answer: True
The annexation of Arabia Petraea by Trajan in AD 106 led to the incorporation of the Decapolis cities into Roman provincial structures, effectively ending their unified administrative identity.
The Decapolis cities enjoyed considerable political autonomy as individual city-states under Roman protection.
Answer: True
Within the Roman imperial system, the Decapolis cities operated with a notable degree of self-governance, functioning as distinct city-states under Roman suzerainty.
Under Roman rule, the Decapolis cities were directly integrated into the province of Syria and lost all political autonomy.
Answer: False
Initially, the Decapolis cities maintained considerable political autonomy as city-states under Roman protection. Later, after AD 106, they were divided among provinces, but not directly integrated into Syria losing all autonomy.
Evidence for the self-governing status of Decapolis cities includes their adoption of Latin as the official administrative language.
Answer: False
Evidence for self-governance includes the minting of autonomous coins; Latin was an administrative language, but Greek remained dominant culturally, and the coins often reflected local identity.
After AD 106, the Decapolis cities were unified into a single Roman province named 'Provincia Decapolis'.
Answer: False
Following the annexation of Arabia Petraea in AD 106, the Decapolis cities lost their distinct administrative unit status and were divided among existing provinces, not unified into a new province named 'Provincia Decapolis'.
Roman roads in the Decapolis region primarily served to isolate the cities and hinder trade.
Answer: False
Roman roads typically facilitated trade and communication, fostering stronger commercial ties among the Decapolis cities.
The 'Pompeian era' began in 63 BC but was only used for counting years during the Hellenistic period.
Answer: False
The Pompeian era, beginning in 63 BC, was used for counting years throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods in the Decapolis, not exclusively during the Hellenistic period.
The term 'puppet state' accurately describes the Decapolis' complete independence and lack of any Roman oversight.
Answer: False
The term 'puppet state' implies a lack of complete independence and suggests operation under Roman authority and protection, not complete autonomy.
How did the Decapolis cities function under Roman rule?
Answer: They enjoyed considerable political autonomy as individual city-states.
Under Roman rule, the Decapolis cities operated as autonomous city-states, maintaining their own governance structures while being under Roman protection.
What evidence suggests the self-governing status of the Decapolis cities?
Answer: Their minting of autonomous coins with specific inscriptions.
The issuance of coins bearing inscriptions indicative of self-governance, such as 'autonomous' or 'free,' provides evidence for the cities' autonomous status.
How did Roman culture influence urban planning in the Decapolis?
Answer: By promoting the adoption of grid layouts with cardo and decumanus streets.
Roman urban planning principles, including the implementation of grid layouts with north-south (cardo) and east-west (decumanus) streets, were adopted in the Decapolis cities.
What happened to the Decapolis cities' administrative status after AD 106?
Answer: They were divided among provinces like Syria, Arabia Petraea, and Judea.
After AD 106, the Decapolis cities lost their distinct administrative identity and were incorporated into various Roman provinces, including Syria, Arabia Petraea, and Judea.
What was the likely impact of Roman roads on the Decapolis region?
Answer: They fostered strong commercial ties among the cities.
The construction of Roman roads in the region likely facilitated trade and strengthened commercial connections among the Decapolis cities.
What was the significance of the 'Pompeian era' for the Decapolis?
Answer: It was a calendar era used for counting years, starting in 63 BC.
The 'Pompeian era,' commencing in 63 BC, served as a significant calendar system utilized by the Decapolis cities throughout subsequent historical periods.
What was the consequence of Emperor Trajan's annexation of Arabia Petraea in AD 106 for the Decapolis?
Answer: The cities lost their unified administrative identity and were divided among provinces.
Trajan's annexation of Arabia Petraea in AD 106 resulted in the division of the Decapolis cities among existing Roman provinces, ending their distinct administrative status.
What does the term 'puppet state' imply about the Decapolis' relationship with Rome?
Answer: That they operated under the overarching authority and protection of Rome.
The term 'puppet state' implies that while the Decapolis possessed autonomy, its governance ultimately operated under the overarching authority and protection of the Roman Empire.
The Roman imperial cult was a common practice in the Decapolis, serving as a unifying element.
Answer: True
The veneration of the Roman emperor was prevalent across the Decapolis, functioning as a shared religious and political practice that reinforced ties to the empire.
The 'kalybe' was a unique architectural feature specific to the Decapolis region, described as a small open-air temple or facade.
Answer: True
The 'kalybe' represents a distinctive architectural element found in the Decapolis, typically manifesting as a small, open-air temple or decorative facade.
The New Testament gospels mention the Decapolis as a region where Jesus conducted his ministry.
Answer: True
Biblical accounts, particularly in the Synoptic Gospels, reference the Decapolis as a significant area where Jesus ministered and attracted followers.
Jesus' ministry in the Decapolis was distinct because the population was predominantly Gentile.
Answer: True
The Decapolis region was notable for its significant Gentile population, which contrasted with Jesus' primary ministry among Jewish communities and is reflected in specific Gospel narratives.
Religious syncretism occurred in the Decapolis, evidenced by the blending of Greek and Semitic deities.
Answer: True
Syncretic religious practices were common, involving the assimilation of local Semitic deities into the Greek pantheon, often identified with figures like Zeus.
Some Jewish populations in the Decapolis region exhibited dissent towards the dominant Hellenic civilization.
Answer: True
Certain segments of the Jewish population expressed opposition to aspects of Hellenic culture, viewing some practices critically.
The Roman imperial cult was strictly forbidden in the Decapolis, and emperors were never worshipped there.
Answer: False
The Roman imperial cult was a common practice in the Decapolis, serving as a unifying element that reflected integration into the Roman Empire.
The 'kalybe' was a large, multi-story aqueduct system designed to supply water to the Decapolis cities.
Answer: False
The 'kalybe' was described as a small open-air temple or facade, not an aqueduct system.
The New Testament gospels describe the Decapolis as a region where Jesus primarily ministered to Jewish populations.
Answer: False
The New Testament gospels highlight that Jesus' ministry in the Decapolis was distinct due to its predominantly Gentile population.
Religious practices in the Decapolis were strictly limited to the worship of Zeus, with no other deities or cults present.
Answer: False
Religious practices were diverse, including the worship of Greek deities, the Roman imperial cult, and syncretic blending with local Semitic deities.
Some Jewish populations viewed Hellenistic civilization favorably, readily adopting Greek customs like circumcision.
Answer: False
Some Jewish populations viewed Hellenistic civilization critically and expressed dissent, particularly regarding customs such as circumcision.
What was the role of the Roman imperial cult in the Decapolis?
Answer: It served as a unifying element reflecting integration into the Roman Empire.
The Roman imperial cult was commonly practiced in the Decapolis, functioning as a unifying element that signified the cities' integration into the broader Roman political and religious framework.
What was the unique architectural feature specific to the Decapolis region mentioned in the source?
Answer: Small open-air temples or facades known as 'kalybe'
The 'kalybe' is identified as a unique architectural feature specific to the Decapolis region, characterized as a small open-air temple or facade.
How did the New Testament gospels refer to the Decapolis region?
Answer: As a region where Jesus conducted ministry and drew many disciples.
The New Testament gospels mention the Decapolis as a significant area where Jesus conducted his ministry and attracted numerous followers.
What made Jesus' ministry in the Decapolis distinct?
Answer: It was predominantly populated by Gentiles.
Jesus' ministry in the Decapolis was distinct due to its predominantly Gentile population, as illustrated by events such as the healing of the Gerasene demoniac.
How did some Jewish populations in the Decapolis region react to the dominant Hellenic civilization?
Answer: They expressed dissent and viewed certain Hellenic practices critically.
Certain Jewish communities within the Decapolis exhibited opposition to Hellenic civilization, critically assessing specific cultural practices.
How does the Gospel of Mark highlight the gentile character of the Decapolis during Jesus' ministry?
Answer: Jesus permitting demons to enter a herd of pigs.
The Gospel of Mark highlights the gentile character of the Decapolis when Jesus permits demons to enter a herd of pigs, an animal forbidden by Jewish dietary laws, indicating a non-Jewish environment.
During the later Roman and Byzantine periods, the Decapolis region became predominantly Christian.
Answer: True
Over time, Christianity gained prominence in the Decapolis, with many of its cities eventually serving as important bishoprics during the Byzantine era.
Cities like Jerash (ancient Gerasa) and Damascus survive as modern towns today, having been part of the Decapolis.
Answer: True
Several cities historically associated with the Decapolis, such as Gerasa (modern Jerash) and Damascus, continue to exist as inhabited centers in the present day.
Twentieth-century archaeology has been instrumental in identifying most of the cities belonging to the Decapolis.
Answer: True
Archaeological investigations conducted in the 20th century have significantly contributed to the identification and understanding of the ancient sites associated with the Decapolis league.
After the Arab conquests in 641 AD, some Decapolis cities were abandoned, while others continued to be inhabited.
Answer: True
The period following the Arab conquests saw varied fates for the Decapolis cities; some fell into disuse, while others persisted as inhabited centers.
Christianity had no significant impact on the Decapolis, with the region remaining largely pagan throughout the Byzantine period.
Answer: False
Christianity did have a significant impact, and the region eventually became predominantly Christian during the later Roman and Byzantine periods, with many cities serving as bishoprics.
Ancient cities like Gerasa and Scythopolis, once part of the Decapolis, were completely abandoned after the Roman period and have no modern presence.
Answer: False
Cities such as Gerasa (Jerash) and Scythopolis (Beit She'an) were not completely abandoned and have modern presences, although they experienced periods of decline.
Twentieth-century archaeology has found no evidence linking modern sites to the ancient Decapolis cities listed by Pliny.
Answer: False
Twentieth-century archaeology has been instrumental in identifying most of the cities listed by Pliny as belonging to the Decapolis.
The Arab conquests in 641 AD led to the complete assimilation of all Decapolis cities into the Islamic Caliphate, erasing their previous identities.
Answer: False
While the region came under Islamic rule, the Arab conquests did not lead to the complete assimilation or erasure of all Decapolis cities' identities; some continued to be inhabited.
What characterized the Decapolis region during the later Roman and Byzantine periods?
Answer: The region became predominantly Christian, with many cities serving as bishoprics.
During the later Roman and Byzantine eras, the Decapolis region increasingly adopted Christianity, with numerous cities functioning as episcopal sees.
Which of the following ancient Decapolis cities continues to exist as a prominent town today?
Answer: Damascus
Damascus, one of the cities listed in the Decapolis, remains a prominent and continuously inhabited city in modern times.
What role has 20th-century archaeology played regarding the Decapolis?
Answer: It has been instrumental in identifying most of the listed cities.
Twentieth-century archaeological efforts have been crucial in identifying the majority of the cities that constituted the ancient Decapolis league.