Decapolis

Definition: From the Greek for ten (deka) and city (polis), the Decapolis was an ancient confederation of ten cities (the actual number varied over time, but included Scythopolis, Hippo, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Gadara, Pella, Dion, Canatha, Raphana, and Damascus) formed by Alexander or his successors, which gained importance after Palestine (called Judea at the time) was conquered by the Romans in 63 B.C. Pompey made Scythopolis the seat of the Sanhedrin. The confederation, which was under the authority of the Roman governor of Syria, was for the purpose of defense against semitic neighbors. The satirist Menippus comes from the Decapolis.