THE BYZANTINE BATHS

Situated in front of the nymphaeum, the thermal baths made a rather late appearance in Gadara, since they date from the IVth century. They covered a surface of 2,400 m². Very damaged shortly after their construction, they were reduced to a more modest size. They included several baths housed in closed and decorated halls. Their use was abandoned around the 7th century, when the city was under water and firewood rationing. The great earthquake of 749 and its successive aftershocks were the reason for the baths.