Decapolis

Decapolis, eos, f. (Δεκάπολις), der Distrikt von zehn Städten in Palästina od. Syrien, die Dekapolis, Plin. 15, 15. Mart. Cap. 6. § 679. Vulg. Matth. 4, 25; Marc. 5, 20 u. 7, 31. – Dav. Decapolitānus, a, um, zur Dekapolis gehörig, der Dekapolis, regio, Plin. 5, 74, u. 77.

Dĕcăpŏlis, is, f. , la Décapole, [contrée de la Judée] : Plin. 15, 15 || -ĭtānus, a, um, de la Décapole : Plin. 5, 74.

DECAPOLIS

DECA´POLIS (Δεκαπόλις), a district of Palestine, so named from the ten cities contained within its limits. They are variously given by different writers, as in Pliny's time--in quo non omnes eadem observant.A ccording to him, most authorities gave Damascus, Philadelphia, Rhaphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippos, Dios, Pella, Galasa (? Gerasa), Canatha (5.18). In this view the district comprehended the southern part of Syria, part of Peraea, as well as the neighbourhood of Bisan, on the west of the Jordan. But in St. Matthew (4.25) Decapolisi s distinguished from beyond Jordan;w hich would show that the districts were not conterminous. Josephus calls Scythopolis the greatest city of Decapolis( B. J. 3.8.7), but does not name the others. Eusebius describes it as the part of Peraea that lies about Hippos, Pella, and Gadara.( Onomast. s. v. )

[G.W]

Decapŏlis

See Palaestina.