Qasr al-Abd

Qasr al-Abd, located in modern-day Jordan near Iraq Al-Amir, is a notable Hellenistic palace from the early 2nd century BCE. Believed to have been constructed by Hyrcanus of the Tobiad family, this grand structure exemplifies Hellenistic architecture with its two-story stone design and elaborate carvings, including animals of gigantic size. Initially intended as a palace and potentially a mausoleum, the site was never completed due to Hyrcanus' death and subsequent seizure by Antiochus Epiphanes. The palace sustained significant damage from the 363 Galilee earthquake but retained its two-story form due to its adaptation as a church during the Byzantine period. Archaeological interest is bolstered by inscriptions and reliefs found nearby, connecting the site to the history of the Tobiad family and the broader Hellenistic cultural landscape of the region.