Decapolis. A league of cities under Roman auspices. Sometimes ten are mentioned, sometimes more. According to Josephus (War: 3, 446), the biggest was Scythopolis (Beth Shean). It was the key link city west of the Jordan, whereas the others were east of the river. They included Damascus (an honorary member), Hippos, Gadera, Gerasa (Jerash), Pella and Philadelphia (Amman). Other cities were later added to the original ten. In the first century AD, however, no coins minted in these cities mention a Decapolis. Matthew (4:25) and Mark (5:20, 7:31) write of Jesus' passing through it, but they may have been using a term first current in their own time. All other historical references to the league date from after the outbreak of the Jewish revolt in 66 AD. (See Rainey and Notley , 361-362).