Israel: Beit Shean Roman Ruins

Beit Shean is an ancient town at the top of the Jordan Valley. With its strategic location on the crossroads of north to south and west to east trade routes, the city has been a major settlement from the ancient times. It was known as Scythipolis in Greek times, and then as Gabinius in the Roman Empire when it developed into one of the largest Roman cities in the Middle East. The ruins remaining today are extensive and well preserved – arena, hippodrome, Roman baths, and hundreds of columns lining broad streets, plus the phenomenal views out into the Jordan Valley.