Was Amman Called Philadelphia?

JERUSALEM (Jordanian Sector), Jan. 3 (AP)—Amman, point of arrival for Pope Paul in Jordan today, was

once called Philadelphia by the Greeks

, who rebuilt it as one of the cities of the Decapolis. Before that it was called Rabbath Ammon when it was the capital of the Ammononites.

When was Amman called Philadelphia?

Amman declined in later centuries. In

the 3rd century bce

it was conquered by Egypt’s King Ptolemy II Philadelphus (reigned 285–246 bce), and he renamed it Philadelphia after himself; the name was retained through Byzantine and Roman times.

What was Jordan called before?

In 1946, Jordan became an independent state officially known as

the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan

, but was renamed in 1949 to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan after the country captured the West Bank during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and annexed it until it was lost to Israel in 1967.

What was the capital of Amman?

With a population of more than four million, Amman is the capital and the largest city in

the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

. A city originally built on top of seven hills, visitors have the opportunity to explore the ancient and modern highlights while enjoying amazing views of the areas surrounding Amman.

Why was Amman called Philadelphia?

Ptolemy II Philadelphus

, the Macedonian ruler of Egypt, who occupied and rebuilt the city, named it “Philadelphia” (Ancient Greek: Φιλαδέλφεια), evoking “brotherly love” in Greek. The name was given as an adulation to his own nickname, Philadelphus.

Can you drink alcohol in Jordan?

Jordan is a conservative society. You should dress modestly and behave courteously.

It’s illegal to drink alcohol on the street but permissible in bars, clubs, hotels and private homes

. There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, similar to those of the UK.

Is Amman expensive?

Ranked as the 29th most expensive city in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit,

Amman is officially the priciest locale in the Arab world

. According to the report, Amman is more expensive than Beijing, Luxembourg, Berlin, Stockholm, Rome, San Francisco, Madrid, Miami, and many other cities.

What language do they speak in Jordan?

The official language of Jordan is

Arabic

, but English is widely spoken especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled, or have been educated abroad, so French, German, Italian and Spanish a…

How safe is Amman?

OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM. Even though there are certain risks in Amman, it is

still considered as the safest capital in the region

. Pickpockets are operating in crowded areas, the risk of mugging and scam risk exists, but there are no reports of serious criminal acts against tourists recently.

What is the old name of Amman?

JERUSALEM (Jordanian Sector), Jan. 3 (AP)—Amman, point of arrival for Pope Paul in Jordan today, was once called

Philadelphia

by the Greeks, who rebuilt it as one of the cities of the Decapolis. Before that it was called Rabbath Ammon when it was the capital of the Ammononites.

Who found Jordan?

After four centuries of stagnant Ottoman rule (1516–1918),

Turkish

control over Transjordan came to an end during World War I when the Hashemite Army of the Great Arab Revolt, took over and secured present-day Jordan with the help and support of the region’s local Bedouin tribes, Circassians and Christians.

What is the religion of Jordan?

A majority of Jordanians are

Muslim

, about 92% are Sunni Muslim, and 1% are Shia or Sufi. Cities in the south of Jordan, have the highest percentage of Muslims. Christians, living mostly in Amman or the Jordan Valley , make up 6% of the total, with 1% representing other religions.

Is Jordan a free country?

According to Freedom House, Jordan is ranked as the fifth-freest Arab country, but still regarded as “not free” in the 2021 report. It is also classified as having an authoritarian regime according to a 2020 democracy index.

What is Amman known for?

Contemporary Amman is a young city, but it has some fascinating ruins that show its roots in antiquity.

Citadel

Towering on a hill overlooking downtown Amman, the Citadel is the city’s pre-eminent archaeological site. Roman Theatre Amman’s dramatic Roman theatre has been hosting musical performances for 2000 years.

Is Jordan a safe country?

Though Jordan is a very safe country

, petty theft and crime does exist. Exercise the same safety precautions you would at home and be especially careful with your passport. Carry the business card of where you’re staying so a taxi can bring you right to the door.

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