Archaeological evidence points to the site being reoccupied in the Hellenistic period (363–332 BC). Beth-shean was renamed Scythopolis in the time of Ptolemy II (Philadelphus, 285–246 BC). “Scythopolis” means “city of the Scythians,” perhaps a reference to a unit of Scythian cavalry serving in the army of Ptolemy II. In 163 BC, 1 Maccabees 5:52 mentions that Judas Maccabee brought his army across the Jordan River “into the broad plain by Beth-Shan” on their way back to Judah after his campaign in Gilead. A slightly different telling of this event occurs in 2 Maccabees 12:29–31 in which the author reports that Judas
marched against Scythopolis, … However, the Jews residing there bore solemn witness to the Scythopolitans’ goodwill toward them and to the kindness they had shown them in times of trouble. Accordingly, Judas and his men thanked the Scythopolitans, urging them to continue in the future to be friendly to our people.
During the reign of Antiochus VI (Epiphanes Dionysis, 145–142 BC), Jonathan Maccabee (160–143 BC) met the Seleucid general Tryphon at Beth-shean to do battle (1 Maccabees 12:39–53). But Tryphon tricked Jonathan into taking a small force with him to Ptolemais where he was slain. Later, John Hyrcanus (135–104 BC) retook the city. Then Pompey captured it by 63 BC. The Romans occupied the site from 63 BC until AD 324, initially rebuilding it in 57 BC and allowing it self-governance in 47 BC.
The Talmud has many references to the Jews of Beth-shan. Rabbi Simeon ben Lachish, ca. 350 A.D., said, “If paradise is situated in the land of Israel, its entrance is Beth-shan.”
— Henry O. Thompson, “Tell el-Husn — Biblical Beth-shan,” Biblical Archaeologist 30, no. 4 (Dec. 1967): 134
One synagogue in Scythopolis dates to AD 300 and the first Christian church made its appearance ca. 325. The city remained a cosmopolitan center with both Jews and Christians until it fell to Muslim invaders in 636. The Islamic conquest of the city is known in a number of sources as “the day of Beisan.” An earthquake (approximately 6.6 on the Richter scale) on January 18, 749 brought about the final destruction and abandonment of Beth-shean/Scythopolis. Four hundred years later crusaders captured the city and constructed a castle on the tell. But it fell to Saladin in 1183.
Modern note: The dead tree on the top of the tell was used for the final scene of “Jesus Christ Superstar” showing Judas hanging himself (see first photo below under “The New Testament City”).