 Throughout the Roman period , Gaza was a prosperous city and received grants and attention from several emperors . A 500 @-@ member senate governed Gaza , and a diverse variety of Philistines , Greeks , Romans , Canaanites , Phoenicians , Jews , Egyptians , Persians and Bedouin populated the city . Gaza 's mint stamped out coins adorned with the busts of gods and emperors . During his visit in 130 CE , Emperor Hadrian , who favored Gaza , personally inaugurated wrestling , boxing and oratorical competitions in Gaza 's new stadium , which soon became known from Alexandria to Damascus . The city was adorned with many pagan temples — the main cult being that of Marnas . Other temples were dedicated to Zeus , Helios , Aphrodite , Apollo , Athena and the local deity Tyche . 
