In Depth:  David Gill

When you stand among the ruins of the Hellenistic city of Scythopolis at Beth Shean, you could almost be in any other province of the Roman empire - and January drizzle in Israel is not so different from January drizzle in Britain!

Looking around, there are the elements of any self-respecting classical city: a theatre with views across the hills over the Jordan valley; the agora which formed the political and commercial heart of the Greek city in the eastern empire; the classical temples; the baths and gymnasium; the fountain-house (or nymphaion); the colonnaded streets.