At the northern crossroads of ancient Gerasa, the Cardo Maximus meets the North Decumanus beneath a four-way arch. Built around AD 165–170, the North Tetrapylon gave the junction a monumental form, while the street running west towards the North Theatre still shows the paving, curbs and drains of a Roman city street.
Where Are the North Tetrapylon and Decumanus?
The tetrapylon stands where the Cardo Maximus crosses the North Decumanus, north of the Nymphaeum. From here the Decumanus runs west past the North Theatre and the Civic Complex to the West Baths, while the Cardo continues north to the North Gate.
Unlike the South Tetrapylon, with its four separate corner monuments, this was a single square monument with passages through it.
Historical Context and Origin
In the early 2nd century AD the Cardo was laid out as the city’s great avenue. Around AD 165–170 the North Decumanus received colonnades and a four-way arch rose where it crossed the Cardo. In the late 2nd century, when the Cardo was widened, its Ionic columns were reused along the North Decumanus.
Between AD 222 and 235 a centurion of the Third Cyrenaican Legion added an inscription honouring the imperial procurator Decimus Junius Arabianus Socrates. In the Byzantine period churches and houses grew up around the old streets.
Architectural Design
The tetrapylon is a square about 11.4 metres on each side and about 12.5 metres high, with an arch on each face. Corinthian columns projected from its façades, standing on tall bases decorated with lion heads. The monument seen today is a reconstruction based on the foundations and fragments; its original upper part is uncertain. The North Decumanus beside it is cambered to drain rainwater, with sewer covers along its line and porticoes on either side.
Four Openings
A square monument with an arch on each side let traffic pass through the crossing in every direction.
Lion-Head Bases
Tall bases under the Corinthian columns carry lion-head fountain motifs — apparently decorative, with no water supply.
The Cambered Street
The Decumanus paving rises slightly in the middle to shed rainwater towards the edges.
Drain Covers
Stone covers over the sewer line, several with their iron lifting rings, line the street.
The Inscription Honouring Decimus Junius Arabianus Socrates
Added to the west façade of the tetrapylon, the text honours the imperial procurator Decimus Junius Arabianus Socrates, his wife Plotia Vindiciana and their son Decimus Junius Heliodorus. It was dedicated by Flavius Munatius, a centurion of the Third Cyrenaican Legion. Square brackets mark letters lost in the damaged part of the block.
Δέκιον Ἰούνιον Ἀραβιανὸν Σωκράτην
ἐπίτροπον Σεβαστοῦ καὶ Πλω-
τίαν Οὐινδικιανὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ
Δέκιον Ἰούνιον Ἀραβιανὸν Ἡλι-
οδώρον υἱὸν αὐτῶν,
Φλάουιος Μουνάτιος [ἑκατόνταρχος λεγιῶνος]
τρίτης Κυρηναϊκῆς
Σεουηριανῆς [Ἀλεξανδριανῆς],
τοὺς πατρώνας τιμῆς χάριν.
[Statues of] Decimus Junius Arabianus Socrates, imperial procurator; Plotia Vindiciana, his wife; and Decimus Junius Heliodorus, their son. Flavius Munatius, centurion of the Third Cyrenaican Legion, Severan Alexandrian, [dedicated them] to his patrons in their honour.
Destruction, Rediscovery, and Restoration
The earthquake of AD 749, followed by stone robbing, reduced the arch and the colonnades to ruins. In the 20th century excavation revealed the plan of the arch and the street’s paving and drains, and the monument was reconstructed.
Visiting the North Tetrapylon Today
Walk through the arch, then turn west along the North Decumanus. In low sun every slab, curb and drain cover stands out; look for the iron rings on the covers and the slight crown of the street.
It is a natural link between the Cardo, the North Theatre and the North Gate, and takes about 15 minutes.
Further reading: The North Tetrapylon inscription (published study).
