Amman
Amman
is the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Its name is derived from its ancient name " Rabbath
Ammon " when it was the capital of the Ammonite
Kingdom ( 1200 - 500 B.C ), but Ptolmey II Philadelphius,
one of the generals of Alexander the Great, re-named
it Philadelphia ( 258 - 246 B.C.). Then it became
part of the Nabataean Kingdom for a long time.
During
the Roman Empire period ( 63 B.C. ), Amman became
a prominent member of the Decapolis. The Byzantine
built some churches in it which can be seen
at Jabal Al-Qal’a. They also built the Roman
Theatre in downtown Amman. During the Islamic
period the Umayyads built their palace, the
remains of which are still standing on Jabal
Al-Qal’a near the Byzantine church.
In
1922 Amman was the capital of the Emirate of
Transjordan and later the capital of the Kingdom
under the leadership of His Majesty King Hussein.
There
are many archaeological museums in Amman. One
of them is situated on Jabal Al-Qal’a. Its displayed
objects tell the ancient history of the city.
There is also another museum within the Roman
Theater which illustrates the ancient public
life.
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Places & facts
