Page "Decapolis" Paragraph 20

The Roman government wanted Roman culture to flourish in the farthest reaches of the empire, which at the time included eastern Palestine.

So they encouraged the growth of these ten cities, allowing them some political autonomy within the protective sphere of Rome.

Each city functioned as a polis or city-state, with jurisdiction over an area of the surrounding countryside.

Each city also minted its own coins.

Many coins from Decapolis cities identify their city as " autonomous ," " free ," " sovereign ," or " sacred ," terms that imply some sort of self-governing status.