The Life of Jesus in Harmony  

T	he City of Caesarea in the Time of Jesus

Acts 10:1 - There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band].

During the time of Jesus Caesarea Maritima was situated along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Caesarea was built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar who had given it to him. Caesarea was a relatively new city in the territory of Judea, and was also the eastern seat of Roman authority. The city was very Roman and Pontius Pilate had made his home there. Herod had build grandiose architecture in Caesarea, there was a splendid theater for watching Greek drama, a hippodrome for chariot races, a magnificent harbor, an aqueduct, beautiful marble buildings, colonnade roads, a Roman palace, and much more that has been discovered in archaeology. King Herod had chosen this place because it was ideal for Roman entrance into his territory, and because of Stratos Tower, which was a monument that was dedicated to the Phoenician King of Sidon "Straton" that was a famous landmark. Although Jesus had never visited the city of Caesarea, it was a very well known place in the land of Judea during the time of Jesus.

THE CITY OF CAESAREA, or as it was frequently called Caesarea of Israel, was situated on the coast of the Mediterranean between Joppa and Tyre. The site was occupied originally by an ancient village called the Tower of Strato. Herod the Great built here a magnificent and Strongly fortified city, which he named Caesarea, in honor of Augustus. He formed a secure harbor by constructing a vast breakwater out into the sea. Caesarea was the capital of Judea during the reigns of Herod the Great and Agrippa I., and was the usual residence of the Roman Governor, when Judea became a mere province of the Empire. The inhabitants were principally Greeks. The city was the residence of Philip the Evangelist and Cornelius the centurion. Herod Agrippa died here by visitation of God. St. Paul was imprisoned here two years, and had his hearings here before Felix, Festus and Agrippa. The city is now in ruins. - Ancient Geography

Historical Notes

- CAESAR'EA (caes-ar-ia; Gk. City dedicated to Caesar).

- In 96 B.C. the city was captured by the Hasmonean Alexander Jannaeus, and thus it became a Jewish community.

- The Roman general Pompey had romanized the city.
 

Related Topics: Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Mount Hermon, Peter, James, John, Jesus, the Transfiguration.

 

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