Bet Shean Roman theatre, Israel, dating from the first century CE. During the Hellenistic period Bet Shean had a Greek population and was called Scythopolis. In 64 BCE it was taken by the Romans, rebuilt, and made the capital of the Decapolis, the Ten Cities of Samaria that were centres of Greco-Roman culture. The city contains the best preserved Roman theatre of ancient Samaria as well as a hippodrome, cardo, and other trademarks of the Roman influence. Excavations at the cite are ongoing and reveal no less than 18 successive ancient towns |