Beit She'an in Yizrael, Northern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)

Down the Centuries in Bet-She'an

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 8, 2023

1. Down the Centuries in Bet-She'an Marker

Inscription. The history of Bet-She'an begins in the fifth millennium B.C.E. with the first settlers who arrived on the banks of Nahal Harod. Over time, many rulers and inhabitants built and rebuilt settlements on the site, and the hill grew into a tell. Ancient Bet-She'an is mentioned in the book of Samuel as a city on whose walls the corpses of King Saul and his sons were displayed. The city was destroyed by the Assyrian army in 732 B.C.E. and left in ruins for centuries. In the Hellenistic period Bet-She'an extended beyond Nahal Harod. The city was named Nyssa Scythopolis, Nyssa after the nurse of the god Dionysos.

In the Roman period it was the most important of the Ten Cities, the Decapolis, and the only one on the west bank of the Jordan River.

Roman customs and fashion prevailed in the flourishing city, which continued to grow as Christianity spread among its population. In the seventh century C.E., Bet-She'an was ruled by the Muslim Umayyads. During their decline, in 749, an earthquake shook the city and destroyed it to its very foundations. On its ruins the modest Arab settlement of Beisan arose. In the Middle Ages and

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the Ottoman period the town center moved to the site where modern Bet-She'an stands teday. Excavations in Bet-She'an have opened a door to its vibrant past.

(Hebrew text not transcribed)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 32° 30.059′ N, 35° 30.032′ E. Marker is in Beit She'an, Northern District, in Yizrael. It can be reached from no nearby street. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Asia,

specifically in West Asia,

in the Middle East,

in The Levant,

on the Red Sea,

in a coastal Mediterranean country,

and in the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire,

the Ottoman Empire,

a British Mandate,

and the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bet She'an historical highlights (here, next to this marker); The Theatre / התיאטרון (within shouting distance of this marker); The theatre of Beth-Shean (Scythopolis) (about 90 meters away, measured

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 8, 2023

2. Down the Centuries in Bet-She'an Marker

in a direct line); Performances at the theatre (about 90 meters away); Theatres (about 90 meters away); Palladius Street (about 120 meters away); Cultic Area (about 180 meters away); The Agora / האגורה (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beit She'an.

More about this marker. The marker is located in Beit She’an National Park.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 8, 2023

3. Down the Centuries in Bet-She'an Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 8, 2023

4. Down the Centuries in Bet-She'an Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.