Home Encyclopedia Summa Fathers ... S > Scythopolis Scythopolis A titular metropolitan of Palaestina Secunda. It is the ancient Bethsan so often mentioned in the Bible , as proved by texts in the writings of Josephus . Its Greek name Scythopolis is very likely derived from a colony of Scythians who invaded Palestine in the seventh century B.C. (Herodotus, I, 103-5), and left some of their number behind (Pliny, "Hist. natur.", V, 16; John Malalas , "Chronographia", V, in P.G. XCVII, 236; George Syncellus , "Chronographia", 214 etc.). The earliest known use of the name is in II Mach. , xii, 29, and in the Greek text of Judith 3:10 . Although Scythopolis was the only town situated on the right bank of the Jordan , it was the capital of Decapolis and in the fourth century became the civil and ecclesiastical metropolis of Palestina Secunda. Several bishops are known Patropnilus, intimate friend of Arius and his adherents, assisted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 and at various councils of the Arians till 360. Cruel and fanatical, he ill treated the Catholic bishops exiled to Scythopolis, especially | |
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