I studied ancient history in grade 10. It was then that I decided to name my future daughter
Athena. I didn’t know that I would have a daughter or if I would even have a child, but I knew if I did, that would be her name. The Greeks and Romans had the most fascinating history. I loved learning everything that I could soak in. It was in grade 10 history class that I also learned about the city of Jerash, the Cross Roads of Civilization, remarkable for its unbroken chain of human occupation. Here, in the hills of Gilead, you will find the remains from Neolithic times, as well as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Omayyad civilizations. You can see a live performance of the Roman Army and Chariot Experience (RACE) at the hippodrome. I always assumed that I would visit Rome and Greece to experience history first-hand, which I did, but Jordan, specifically Jerash, seemed more like a dream that would always remain on the list… until today.
As we approached the South Gate, others snapped photos, asked questions, and walked around. I stood in awe. I could see the gates of the hippodrome.
Although we didn’t get to experience a live performance of the RACE, it unfolded before my
eyes as if it was really happening. Close your eyes and envision it with me…
We are sitting, standing, yelling, and cheering from our stone seats next to the 10 starting gates.
Julius Caesar shouts, “Silencium!”
A mixture of dust and seven thunderous laps blur the red, white, blue, and green armour-clad legionnaires and horse-drawn chariots; they are only drowned out by the bellowing cheers from the crowd, including us.
They approach the line on the final lap and there is so much dust it’s difficult to tell who is in the lead; it’s too close. There are no play-backs. There are no video cameras to catch it up close. You have to keep your eyes wide open despite the dust. YES! YES! YES! We’ve won!
Before football, soccer, or basketball, we had the Roman Army and Chariot Experience at the hippodrome.
In Jerash, another one of my bucket list dreams came true. If you dream it and envision it, you can make it a reality!
Bucket List Publications 
Ancient history, so fascinating!
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So nice! Thank you!
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I’ll upload my photos of Cyrene & Apollonia in Libya soon, you’ll like it 😉
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I, for one, think that Athena is a perfect name. I may be a little prejudiced, since it is my own name… Last year, I was able to go to the ancient site of Priene(among others), which is outside the Turkish resort town of Karaisali on the Eastern coast. It has the largest remaining temple of Athena in existence, today. You should go, if you have not. That, and Ephesus were amazing.
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The unbroken chain of human occupation from ancient times is notable. And how much has not changed regarding people’s desire to go to a stadium and see races and competitions.
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Jordan is on my list of places to visit someday. I was so close last summer when I was just across the Jordan river from it when I visited Israel. I could have waded across :-). Jerash will definitely be on my list of things to see in Jordan when I visit some day.
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Lucky lady. Sounds unbelievable.
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Terrific report! thanks 🙂
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Jerash features some of the most beautifully haunting ruins in the Middle East, and is oft-forgotten. But it’s one of those sites that seems to hum and shimmer with the whispers of centuries (and civilizations) lost. Enjoy the magic of it all! Wonderful write-up and photography as usual, Lesley.
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Terrific read, as always. Have a wonderful time. I look forward to reading more…
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How I would love to visit all of Greece and Europe. The history is so immense and overfilling, it’s just too much to take in, but enjoyable! I’m such a history nut!
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Awesome. :0)
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Amazing! I could really picture it all happening through your words and those pictures.
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Such fun and history lesson combined
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I like the story.
Regarding the title question, I’d throw out Mycenae in Greece. Hundreds of years before the prime of Athens, it was a flourishing power throughout the region. Its ruins today are in one of the most dramatic scenes I’ve ever seen. Its massive cyclopean masonry is atop a mountain peak which recieves uncharacteristically harsh and chilling winds at times.
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And this is why I love old buildings and remnants of civilizations past. It makes history come alive for me. Hope to visit more historical sites soon! Thanks for sharing your photos!
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I, too, feel in love with Greece at a young age 🙂
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Fantastic! Enjoyed reliving history with you. 🙂
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Jerash and Jordan – yessssss! Well worth visiting!
Such a well preserved place – we had a great guide – always helps.
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A vivid imagination, a background redolent with history and the magic carpet of the mind does the rest. Wonderful mental images.
I’ve experienced something similar in places like Sri Lanka, Spain, France, Italy and Cyprus, as well as a few ancient sites in UK. In Russia I felt cold, but the temperature was -32C!
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Beautiful.
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Sometimes you just have to use your imagination in these wonderful places so full of fascinating history. I could just see you cheering on… I salute you! 🙂
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Fascinating stuff and a worthy addition to any bucket list!
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Great story & photos as always- I love your attitude… if you can dream it, you can make it a reality!
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Great post Leslie! Such vivid imagery!
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Greco-Roman culture is my favorite period for art, archaeology, history. So fortunate I got to visit some of those areas when I did. Enjoyed this post.
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We have been in Jerash 10 years ago. Amazing place.
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Wonderful post. I remember feeling that same shivery, intense prickly feeling of time folding in on itself, where you could nearly see the past, when I visited the Colosseum in Rome.
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Not Las Vegas? 🙂 I hope you feel better already on this new journey!
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That is truly epic!
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Sounds absolutely fantastic! Enjoy and blog on!
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I’ve been there three years ago and loved it, Jordan is a fantastic country.
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Great post! I have never heard of this city before but I’m putting it on my bucket list.
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Beautiful pictures with such tremendous site of history. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Great post. I must admit to living vicariously through your adventure. I studied Greek and Roman culture and history in university and can’t wait to see the ancient remains. If you haven’t seen it yet you should check out Pompeii, Italy; a city frozen in time.
Also, did you know that Jordan’s King once appeared as an extra in Star Trek: Voyager? How awesome is that?
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Great stuff!!!
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Your words made me feel like I was there. Incredible. Greece is beautiful with such amazing history.
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Loved the little dive into imagination. Love the country; the heat certainly seems to preserve the ancient glories in the birthplace of civilization.
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“Silencium!” – I liked the way you took me back in time. Great post.
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I loved my time in Gerash. As a Classics major, I relived so much of my knowledge and was surprised to see it in Jordan.
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