Amman
About Amman
Amman, the hilly capital of Jordan, is the residence of the king and the seat of government. It was the ancient capital of the Ammonites from 13th to 6th century BC. It was later rebuilt and renamed Philadelphia which became part of the Decapolis during the Roman rule. Most of the town’s Roman structures were built in the 2nd century AD.
Modern City
Downtown Amman features spectacular Roman ruins, an international-standard museum, mosques, souqs and coffeehouses that are central to Jordanian life. Western Amman has residential districts, cafes, modern malls and art galleries. Eastern Amman offers the more traditional and conservative pulse of the city.
Significant Landmarks
The Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon. The most striking landmarks are the Temple of Hercules and the Ummayad Palace. The restored Roman Theatre features a set of steep stairs that can seat up to 6,000 people. It is also home to the Jordan Museum of Popular Traditions and the Jordan Folklore Museum. Next to the Roman Theatre is Odeon, a much smaller theatre that seats about 500 people.
Interesting Facts
- Rabbath Ammon refers to the capital of the kingdom of Ammon, rival of the biblical Israelites.
- The first theatre was built in the Hellenistic period. The Greeks did not use vaults and arches, so the theatres are always on the hillside. The Romans rebuilt the theatre and the sides are supported by arches.
- It is possible that the theatre hosted the major plays while Odeon hosted most of the musical performances.
