Temple of Zeus

Introduction

The Temple of Zeus is located just inside the South Gate and is adjacent to both the South Theater and the Oval Plaza. It underwent a number of modifications since initial construction in the 1st century BCE.

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Aerial Views and Plans

Aerial Views

Jerash Temple of Zeus in Google Earth

Jerash Temple of Zeus

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Plans

Site Plans

General Plan of Jerash

Plan of Jerash. North is to the right.

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Area Plans

Temple of Zeus

Normal Size

Fig. 2 - Chronological evolution
Figure 2

Chronological evolution of the sanctuary of Zeus in Gerasa.
1. Extension of the sanctuary around 125 BC
2. Extension at the turn of BC/AD
3. Extension in 27-28 AD
4. Addition at the beginning of the 2nd century AD
5. Addition at the beginning of the 2nd century AD
(study by J. Seigne, DAO, C. Kholmayer, Th. Lepaon)

Seigne (1985)
of the sanctuary of Zeus at Jerash from Seigne (1985)

Magnified

Fig. 2 - Chronological evolution
Figure 2

Chronological evolution of the sanctuary of Zeus in Gerasa.
1. Extension of the sanctuary around 125 BC
2. Extension at the turn of BC/AD
3. Extension in 27-28 AD
4. Addition at the beginning of the 2nd century AD
5. Addition at the beginning of the 2nd century AD
(study by J. Seigne, DAO, C. Kholmayer, Th. Lepaon)

Seigne (1985)
of the sanctuary of Zeus at Jerash from Seigne (1985)

Chronology

Stratigraphy of the Cistern

from Rasson and Seigne (1989)

Layer	Date	Comments
3	Byzantine	layer of greenish-gray clay, very compact and strongly mixed with plant materials (wood, herbs, etc.) and some bones of small animals (birds, goats, etc.). This deposit, homogeneous, laminated, and thick of about 1.50 m, is the result of an accumulation by settling in an aqueous medium of suspended organic materials. It is particularly remarkable for the extraordinary amount of ceramic material it contained. In the excavated part alone, 232 ribbed jars, 25 pots, 8 lamps, etc. were collected, intact or broken. Many objects of glass, bronze and bone were associated with them, as well as 36 coins. All these objects were evenly distributed in height in the clay mass. They were therefore abandoned gradually, for the duration of the layer 3
2	Umayyad	level of compact red clay soil mixed with small stones. This stratum, 0.25 to 0.30 m thick, completely covered layer 3. Practically horizontal, it was set up, like the previous one in an aquatic environment. It contained little material. This stratum was itself sealed by a small level (2A) of powdered mortar and boulders from the collapse of part of the ceiling. The blocks, sometimes bulky (80, 100 kg) were only slightly sunk into the red clay layer, indicating that the tank was dried up at the time of their fall, as the clay and underlying deposits had time to harden.
1	Umayyad	unlike the previous ones, this layer did not correspond to an accumulation in an aqueous medium and had kept a conical shape, the maximum thickness (0.60 m) being normally located above the opening of the tank. It was formed of dark brown earth, very loose, mixed with stones and especially bones of various animals (sheep, goats, etc.), sometimes remained in anatomical connection (legs, fragments of spine, etc.). The remains of a human skeleton were found mixed with these animal bones. The finds included two coins, a large quantity of ceramics and glass and above all a rich set of objects in bone, ivory, soapstone, and bronze. Fragments of Ionic capitals, window railings, frieze blocks, etc., from the facades of the sanctuary were also found.

1st Cistern Earthquake - 7th century CE

Rasson and Seigne (1989) reported on excavations of a cistern at the Temple of Zeus. Two seismic destruction events were interpreted from the excavation - one in the 7th century CE and another in the 8th. The 1st seismic event was manifest in partial roof collapse. Ceramics beneath the collapse layer dated to the Umayyad period and suggested an earthquake which struck in the middle of the 7th century CE. Gawlikowski (1992:358) reports further 7th century CE archaeoseismic evidence in a vaulted corridor of the lower terrace where a herd of goats was buried along with a kid goat. According to Gawlikowski (1992:358), the age of a kid indicates that the cataclysm took place in May-June and moreover a Byzantine currency with an Arab countermark indicating the beginning of Muslim government (Seigne, unpublished report of 1984, kindly communicated by the author). This would suggest that the 1st earthquake was the one of the Jordan Valley Quake(s).

2nd Cistern Earthquake - 8th century CE

Rasson and Seigne (1989) reported on excavations of a cistern at the Temple of Zeus. Two seismic destruction events were interpreted from the excavation - one in the 7th century CE and another in the 8th. The 2nd seismic event was more violent than the 1st and the collapse layer contained architectural fragments, animal bones, and a human skeleton. After this event, the cistern was hermetically sealed and abandoned. A rich set of objects was uncovered beneath the collapse including ceramics which dated up to the 1st half of the 8th century CE and an Umayyad coin struck at Jerash which dated to 694-710 CE. The collapse layer included fragments of Ionic capitals, window railings, frieze blocks, etc., from the facades of the sanctuary.

1st Cistern Earthquake - 7th century CE

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
Ceiling collapse - i.e. Vault collapse	Cistern		This stratum was itself sealed by a small level (2A) of powdered mortar and boulders from the collapse of part of the ceiling. The blocks, sometimes bulky (80, 100 kg) were only slightly sunk into the red clay layer, indicating that the tank was dried up at the time of their fall, as the clay and underlying deposits had time to harden - Rasson and Seigne (1989)
Vault collapse	vaulted corridor of the lower terrace		Gawlikowski (1992:358) reports that a herd of goats were found buried beneath vaulted corridor of the lower terrace

2nd Cistern Earthquake - 8th century CE

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
Wall collapse Fallen Columns	architectural collapse from the facades of the sanctuary found in the Cistern		unlike the previous ones, this layer did not correspond to an accumulation in an aqueous medium and had kept a conical shape, the maximum thickness (0.60 m) being normally located above the opening of the tank. It was formed of dark brown earth, very loose, mixed with stones and especially bones of various animals (sheep, goats, etc.), sometimes remained in anatomical connection (legs, fragments of spine, etc.). The remains of a human skeleton were found mixed with these animal bones. The finds included two coins, a large quantity of ceramics and glass and above all a rich set of objects in bone, ivory, soapstone, and bronze. Fragments of Ionic capitals, window railings, frieze blocks, etc., from the facades of the sanctuary were also found. - Rasson and Seigne (1989)
Human remains	the Cistern		unlike the previous ones, this layer did not correspond to an accumulation in an aqueous medium and had kept a conical shape, the maximum thickness (0.60 m) being normally located above the opening of the tank. It was formed of dark brown earth, very loose, mixed with stones and especially bones of various animals (sheep, goats, etc.), sometimes remained in anatomical connection (legs, fragments of spine, etc.). The remains of a human skeleton were found mixed with these animal bones. - Rasson and Seigne (1989)

1st Cistern Earthquake - 7th century CE

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
Ceiling collapse - i.e. Vault collapse	Cistern		This stratum was itself sealed by a small level (2A) of powdered mortar and boulders from the collapse of part of the ceiling. The blocks, sometimes bulky (80, 100 kg) were only slightly sunk into the red clay layer, indicating that the tank was dried up at the time of their fall, as the clay and underlying deposits had time to harden - Rasson and Seigne (1989)	VIII +
Vault collapse	vaulted corridor of the lower terrace		Gawlikowski (1992:358) reports that a herd of goats were found buried beneath vaulted corridor of the lower terrace	VIII +

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

2nd Cistern Earthquake - 8th century CE

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
Wall collapse Fallen Columns	architectural collapse from the facades of the sanctuary found in the Cistern		unlike the previous ones, this layer did not correspond to an accumulation in an aqueous medium and had kept a conical shape, the maximum thickness (0.60 m) being normally located above the opening of the tank. It was formed of dark brown earth, very loose, mixed with stones and especially bones of various animals (sheep, goats, etc.), sometimes remained in anatomical connection (legs, fragments of spine, etc.). The remains of a human skeleton were found mixed with these animal bones. The finds included two coins, a large quantity of ceramics and glass and above all a rich set of objects in bone, ivory, soapstone, and bronze. Fragments of Ionic capitals, window railings, frieze blocks, etc., from the facades of the sanctuary were also found. - Rasson and Seigne (1989)	VIII+ V+

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

References

Articles and Books

Gawlikowski, M. (1992). "Installations Omayyades à Jérash." Studies in the history and archaeology of Jordan. Department of Antiquities, Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan-Amman. Vol. 4 04.

Rasson, A.M. and Seigne, J. and (1989). "Une citerne byzantino-omeyyade sur le sanctuaire de Zeus." Syria. Archéologie, Art et histoire: 117-151.

SEIGNE, Jacques. Limites des espaces sacrés antiques : permanences et évolutions, quelques exemples orientaux In: Espaces sacrés dans la Méditerranée antique [online]. Rennes: Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2016

Websites

Sancturay of Zeus at universes.art

Jerash - Temple of Zeus