The above historical sketch will serve to illus trate the narrative of the Demoniacs. Christ crossed the Sea of Galilee to the territory of the Gadarenes,' which extended down to the shore. It will be observed that there is nothing in the Gospels to indicate that the city itself was near the lake. If the reading Gerasenes be the true one in Mark and Luke, it is still geographically accurate. In the time of our Lord, Gerasa was capital of northern Perma, and its province included that of Gadara (GERAsA). The Demoniacs, we are told, had their dwelling in the tombs ' (EV TaY up+ aao-lv), which abound in the immediate neighbour hood of the ruins. The herds of swine were either the property of the Gentile inhabitants, or were kept by the Jews for their use. It is not stated where the swine were feeding, but it was near the scene of the miracle, and most probably on the high point of land which separates the ravine of the Hieromax from the lake. From that there is a long and steep ' descent to the shore, and down this the swine may have rushed.
The ruins of Gadara occupy a narrow and high ridge, which projects from the mountains of Gilead. On its northern side is the deep valley of the Hieromax, now called Sheriat el-Mandhfir; on the west is the Jordan valley; and on the south is a glen called Wady el-Amb, running parallel tc the Hieromax. The ruins crown the ridge, and as it declines in elevation towards the east, the site is strong and commanding. The space occupied by the city is about two miles in circuit ; and there are traces of the ancient wall all round. On the northern slope is a large theatre, a view of which is given in Traill's Josephus (i. 145). Gadara
had, like Palmyra, Damascus, and other eastern cities, a via recta, or stmight street,' lined with colonnades. Many of the bases remain in situ, though the shafts have fallen. A sketch of this street is given in the same work, shewing the theatre and acropolis in the background (ii. 16). The buildings of the city are all in ruins. Not a house, nor column, nor wall, remains standing; though the old pavement of the streets is almost perfect, shewing the marks of the chariot wheels in the stones, as at Pompeii. The necropolis is on the north-east declivity. The tombs are exca vated in the limestone rocks, and consist of cham bers of various sizes, some above twenty feet square, with deep recesses in the sides for bodies. The doors are made of heavy slabs of stone, like those in the ancient houses of Bastian (Porter's Damas cus, ii. 54). A few of them are in their places, and are ornamented with panels. There are, besides, many beautifully sculptured sarcophagi scattered over the surrounding heights.
The identity of Um Keis and Gadarh has been disputed by some writers ; but the clear description of Eusebius, Joseplms, and Pliny, and especially the existence of the celebrated warm springs at the base of the mountain, beside the river Hiero max, remove all possibility of mistake. Full descriptions of Um Keis are given by Burckhardt, Buckingham, and Irby and Mangles. The stu dent may also consult Reland's Palastina, Traill's 7osephus, Handbook for S. and P., and Lord Lindsay's Travels.—J. L. P.