Perea
- SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Perea (subject)
Perea was a Jewish region "across the Jordan River."
Overview
After the Babylonian exile, the territories beyond the Jordan" were in the hands of the Tobiads, until the 2nd cent. BCE when the power of the Nabateans arose in the region.
As a Jewish district, Perea was born around 120 BCE when John Hyrcanus conquered some territories "beyond the Jordan" and forcibly converted its inhabitants to Judaism. The territory was secured with the construction of the fortress of Machaerus.
Perea was part of the kingdom of Herod the Great. After his death in 4 BCE, it was assigned to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.
Perea was the area of the activity of John the Baptist, who baptized on the Jordan River and was executed at Machaerus. Jesus also preached in Perea on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem.
Perea was later ruled by Agrippa I. When he died in 44 CE, the region was annexed into the Roman province of Judea.
Perea in ancient sources
- See Perea (sources)