CALLIROE. – A region of thermal springs east of the Dead Sea, a little south of the Zerqā Māʿīn, called by the Arabs Hammām ez-Zārā. In a broad amphitheater 4 km long and 2 km wide, beneath a thick tuff terrace, are springs ranging from 45 to 57 degrees. The natives spread themselves on the terrace, from whose pores sulfurous vapors emanate, to cure their rheumatism.
By the Greek name of “beautiful spring” it was also known in antiquity (Flavius Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae, XVII, 6, 5; Bellum Judaicum, I, 33, 5; Pliny, Naturalis Historia, V, 16), and Herod the Great, in the last months of his life, vainly sought healing there from his terrible illness (Flavius Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae, loc. cit.). Remains of a Roman-era bathing establishment are still visible. The place is marked on the Madaba mosaic map with the inscription: “Thermae of Calliroe.”
Some Palestinian scholars have believed they could recognize in the Arabic toponym for the entire water system the element Sereth of the city Haš-Šabar (Josh. 13:19; 1 Chron. 4:5, 7).