Holy Land 2001 Bet She'an Photos

PB HomeIsrael TourNotesPhotos
Biblical References: Bet She'an (Beth-Shean or Beth-Shan) is strategically located at the junction of the Valley of Jezreel and the Jordan valley. Joshua 17.11-17 indicates that the Israelites were unable to conquer the Canaanite settlement there (as also Judges 1.27). When Saul and his sons died on Mount Gilboa, the Philistine lords of Beth-Shan displayed their bodies on the city walls (1 Samuel 31). Beth-Shan was evidently conquered by David, and appears in the list of towns in Solomon's fifth administrative district (1 Kings 4.12). During the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, the city was known as Scythopolis.For a time it was the chief city of the Decapolis, a region which Jesus visited (Mark 7.31).
Note: Click on thumbnail for larger image.

The arena at Bet She'an, where gladiators fought The ruins at Bet She'an with the tell in the background.
Amphitheatre at Bet She'an. Excavated ruins, Bet She'an.
The Cardo (main street), Bet She'an. Roman Temple at Bet She'an, destroyed by earthquake in 749AD.
Excavation near steps up Tell at Bet She'an. Excavations on Tel, Bet She'an.
Excavations on Tel, Bet She'an. View of Bet She'an from Tell.
View of Bet She'an from Tell.

Photographs © Peter J Blackburn, 2001
PB Home