Human habitation dates back more than 7,000 years at Bet Shean! Not surprisingly it features significantly in at least one biblical story (Old Testament) and tangentially in another (New Testament). If you poke around and are willing to climb the ancient tel which dominates the town you can find evidence of ancient Israelite and Egyptian temples. But the central features of the site which we visit today, uncovered by archeologists, date from the Roman and Byzantine period. That’s because the Romans turned this into one of their ten Polis’s in the region, a designation which insured a higher standard of living than in the surrounding communities because of safety, running water and other up-to-date amenities.
Unseen from the park’s entry way is a 7,000 seat ampitheatre. But be prepared, as you enter it via the vomitoriums (?!), for an amazing surprise. Then descend down to the stage and prepare to perform for your friends stationed above you amongst the theater seats.
Walk into the Roman era bath-house and imagine yourself relaxing there. Stroll down the main road amongst ancient pillars, but be careful. Scythopolis (ancient Greek name of Bet Shean) was suddenly devastated by an earthquake in the year 749 and never regained its glory. Don’t get too close to those pillars.