Difference between revisions of "Caesarea"

<p> (Καισάρεια or Καισάρεια Σεβαστή, named in honour of Augustus; known also as <i> [[Caesarea]] Palaestinae </i> , and in modern Arabic as <i> el-Kaiṣârîyeh </i> ; to be distinguished clearly from <i> Caesarea [[Philippi]] </i> ) </p> <p> Caesarea was situated on the [[Mediterranean]] coast, 32 miles N. of Joppa, 25 S. of Carmel, and 75 N.W. of Jerusalem. It was once the chief port of Palestine. It was rebuilt by Herod the Great on the site of ‘Straton’s Tower’ (Jos. <i> Ant </i> . xv. ix. 6). The city is closely associated with the history of the [[Apostolic]] Church, being especially notable as the place where the [[Holy]] Spirit was poured out upon the [[Gentiles]] (&nbsp;Acts 10:45). The name occurs in Acts only. [[Philip]] the deacon seems to have resided at Caesarea (&nbsp;Acts 8:40; &nbsp;Acts 21:8; &nbsp;Acts 21:16). St. Paul was sent hence to [[Tarsus]] (&nbsp;Acts 9:30). Cornelius, a Roman centurion, influenced by a vision to send to [[Joppa]] for St. Peter, here became the first convert of the Gentiles (&nbsp;Acts 10:1; &nbsp;Acts 10:24; &nbsp;Acts 11:11). Here Herod [[Agrippa]] I. died (&nbsp;Acts 12:19). Here St. Paul landed on his way from [[Ephesus]] (&nbsp;Acts 18:22), being later escorted hither on his return from [[Jerusalem]] (&nbsp;Acts 23:23; &nbsp;Acts 23:33), and here he was imprisoned for two years, and tried before [[Festus]] (&nbsp;Acts 25:1; &nbsp;Acts 25:4; &nbsp;Acts 25:6; &nbsp;Acts 25:13). </p> <p> In apostolic times Caesarea was politically the capital of the province of [[Judaea]] , and the residence of the Roman procurators. Tacitus describes it as ‘the head of Judaea ’ ( <i> Hist </i> . ii. 78). Among its inhabitants there were both [[Jews]] and Greeks. The city was elaborately beautified with temples, theatres, palaces, arches, and altars. It was especially famous for its harbour (Jos. <i> Ant </i> . xv. ix. 6). [[Aqueducts]] supplied the inhabitants with water from [[Carmel]] and the [[Crocodile]] [[River.]] In the 3rd cent. a.d., it became the seat of a famous school of theology, in which [[Origen]] taught; also of the bishopric of Syria, [[Eusebius]] being the most celebrated of these occupying the office. Under the Arabs it unfortunately lost its former prestige and rapidly degenerated. At the time of the [[Crusades]] it was rebuilt by [[Baldwin]] ii. [[Saladin]] took it in 1187. In 1251 it was re-fortified by St. Louis. Finally, in 1265, it was completely destroyed by the [[Sultan]] Bibars, since whose time it has remained in ruins. </p> <p> Little is now left to mark the ancient city. Porter, writing in 1865, says: ‘I saw no man. The [[Arab]] and the shepherd avoid the spot’ ( <i> [[Giant]] Cities </i> , 235). Thomson also ( <i> Land and Book </i> , i. 72) speaks of it as ‘absolutely forsaken.’ Since 1889, however, a few Bosnians have settled among the ruins and carried on a small trade in brick. Most of the stones of the ancient city were used by Ibrahim [[Pasha]] in constructing the new fortifications at Acre. To the missionary, Caesarea is one of the most interesting spots on earth, having been the cradle of the [[Gentile]] Church. </p> <p> Literature.-Josephus, <i> Ant </i> . xiv. iv. 4, xvii. xi. 4, <i> Bellum Judaicum (Josephus) </i> i. xxi. 5, ii. ix. 1; [[G. A]]  Smith, <i> [[Historical]] [[Geography]] of the Holy Land [[(G. A]]  Smith) </i> 138ff., article‘Caesarea’ in <i> Encyclopaedia Biblica </i> , i. 617; [[C. R]]  Conder, article‘Caesarea’ in <i> Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) </i> , i. 337, <i> Tent Work in [[Palestine]] </i> , new ed., 1887, pp. 107-110; Schürer, <i> History of the [[Jewish]] People (Eng. tr. of GJV).] </i> , index, <i> s.v. </i> ; <i> SWP </i> [Note: WP Memoirs of Survey of Western Palestine.]ii. [1882], sheet x.; Baedeker, <i> Palestine and Syria </i> 5, 1912, p. 237ff.; A. Neubauer, <i> Géog. du [[Talmud]] </i> , 1868; G. Le Strange, <i> Palestine under the [[Moslems]] </i> , 1890, p. 474; [[H. B]]  Tristram, <i> Bible places </i> , 1897, p. 75; [[J. L]]  Porter, <i> The Giant Cities of [[Bashan]] </i> , 1873, p. 233ff.; [[W. M]]  Thomson, <i> The Land and the Book </i> , 1881, i. 69ff.; W. Smith, <i> Dict. of the Bible </i> 2, article‘Caesarea.’ </p> <p> [[George]] L. Robinson. </p>

<p> <strong> CÆSAREA </strong> (mod. <em> Kaisariyeh </em> ). A city rebuilt by Herod the Great on the site of Straton’s Tower, on the coast of Palestine, between Joppa and Dora. Its special features were a large harbour protected by a huge mole and by a wall with 10 lofty towers and colossi; a promenade round the port, with arches where sailors could lodge; a temple of Augustus raised on a platform, and visible far out at sea, containing two colossal statues of Rome and the Emperor; a system of drainage whereby the tides were utilized to flush the streets; walls embracing a semicircular area stretching for a mile along the sea-coast; two aqueducts, one of them 8 miles in length, displaying great engineering skill; a hippodrome; an amphitheatre capable of seating 20,000 persons; a theatre; a court of justice, and many other noble structures. The city took 12 years to build, and Herod celebrated its completion (b.c. 10 9) with sumptuous games and entertainments which cost £120,000. Herod used the port for his frequent voyages. Here he condemned to death his two sons Alexander and Aristobulus. After the banishment of Herod’s successor Archelaus, Cæsarea became the official residence of the Roman procurators of Palestine (broken only by the brief interval during which it was under the independent rule of Herod Agrippa I., who met his tragic death here in b.c. 44 [&nbsp; Acts 12:20-23 ]). The fifth of these, Pontius Pilate, ordered a massacre in the hippodrome of Cæsarea of those Jews who had flocked to implore the removal from Jerusalem of the profane eagle standards and images of the [[Emperor]] recently introduced. Only on their baring their necks for death and thus refusing to submit, did Pilate revoke the order, and direct the ensigns to be removed. [[Christianity]] early found its way here, Philip probably being the founder of the Church (&nbsp; Acts 8:40 ), while Paul passed through after his first visit to Jerusalem (&nbsp; Acts 19:31 ). Cæsarea was the scene of the baptism of [[Cornelius]] (&nbsp; Acts 10:1-48 ). Here also the Holy Spirit for the first time fell on heathen, thus inaugurating the Gentile [[Pentecost]] (v. 44). Paul may have passed through Cæsarea (&nbsp; Acts 18:22 ) at the time when numbers of Jewish patriots, captured by Cumanus, had here been crucified by Quadratus, legate of Syria. It was at Cæsarea that Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem was foretold by [[Agabus]] (&nbsp; Acts 21:8-14 ). Here he was imprisoned for two years under [[Felix]] (&nbsp; Acts 23:1-35 ). During that time a riot broke out between [[Greeks]] and Jews as to their respective rights, and Felix ordered a general massacre of the Jews to be carried out in the city. On the recall of Felix, [[Nero]] sent [[Porcius]] Festus, who tried Paul (&nbsp; Acts 25:9 ) and also allowed him to state his case before Herod Agrippa II. and [[Berenice]] (&nbsp; Acts 26:1-32 ). The wickedness of the last procurator, Gessius Florus, finally drove the Jews into revolt. A riot in Cæsarea led to a massacre in Jerusalem, and simultaneously 20,000 of the Jewish population of Cæsarea were slaughtered. During the Great War, Cæsarea was used as the base for operations, first by Vespasian, who was here proclaimed Emperor by his soldiers (a.d. 69), and latterly by his son Titus, who completed the destruction of Jerusalem. The latter celebrated the birthday of his brother [[Domitian]] by forcing 2500 Jews to fight with beasts in the arena at Cæsarea. The city was made into a Roman colony, renamed <em> Colonia Prima Flavia [[Augusta]] Cæsarensis </em> , released from taxation, and recognized as the capital of Palestine. </p> <p> Several Church Councils were held at Cæsarea. It was from a.d. 200 to 451 the residence of the [[Metropolitan]] bishop of Palestine. Origen taugh there, and Eusebius was its bishop from a.d. 313 to 340. It was the birthplace of Procopius, the historian. In a.d. 548 the [[Christians]] were massacred by the Jews and Samaritans. In 638 it surrendered to the Moslems under [[Abu]] Obeida. It was recovered in 1102 by Baldwin I., who massacred the [[Saracens]] in the mosque, once the Christian cathedral. The loot contained the so-called ‘Holy Grail’ of mediæval legend. Saladin recaptured Cæsarea in 1187, but it was retaken by [[Richard]] I. in 1192. The city, however, was so ruined that when restored it covered only one-tenth of the original ground. In 1251 Louis IX. fortified it strongly. In 1265 it was stormed by Sultan Bibars, who utterly demolished it. To-day it is a wilderness of dreary ruins, tenanted only by a few wandering shepherds. </p> <p> [[G. A]]  Frank Knight. </p>

<p> a city and port of Palestine, built by Herod the Great, and thus called in honour of Augustus Caesar. It was on the site of the tower of Strato. This city, which was six hundred furlongs from Jerusalem, is often mentioned in the New Testament. Here it was that Herod Agrippa was smitten of the Lord for not giving God the glory, when the people were so extravagant in his praise. Cornelius the centurion, who was baptized by St. Peter, resided here, &nbsp;Acts 10:1 , &c; and also Philip the deacon, with his four maiden daughters. At Caesarea the [[Prophet]] Agabus foretold that Paul would be bound and persecuted at Jerusalem. Lastly, the [[Apostle]] himself continued two years a prisoner at Caesarea, till he was conducted to Rome. When Judea was reduced to the state of a Roman province, Caesarea became the stated residence of the proconsul, which accounts for the circumstance of Paul being carried thither from Jerusalem, to defend himself. </p> <p> Dr. [[E. D]]  Clarke's remarks upon this once celebrated city will be read with interest: "On the 15th of July, 1801, we embarked, after sunset, for Acre, to avail ourselves of the land wind, which blows during the night, at this season of the year. By day break, the next morning, we were off the coast of Caesarea; and so near with the land that we could very distinctly perceive the appearance of its numerous and extensive ruins. The remains of this city, although still considerable, have long been resorted to as a quarry, whenever building materials are required at Acre. [[Djezzar]] Pacha brought from hence the columns of rare and beautiful marble, as well as the other ornaments of his palace, bath, fountain, and mosque, at Acre. The place at present is inhabited only by jackals and beasts of prey. As we were becalmed during the night, we heard the cries of these animals until day break. Pococke mentions the curious fact of the former existence of crocodiles in the river of Caesarea. Perhaps there has not been in the history of the world an example of any city, that in so short a space of time rose to such an extraordinary height of splendour as did this of Caesarea; or that exhibits a more awful contrast to its former magnificence, by the present desolate appearance of its ruins. Not a single inhabitant remains. Its theatres, once resounding with the shouts of multitudes, echo no other sound than the nightly cries of animals roaming for their prey. Of its gorgeous palaces and temples, enriched with the choicest works of art, and decorated with the most precious marbles, scarcely a trace can be discerned. Within the space of ten years after laying the foundation, from an obscure fortress, it became the most celebrated and flourishing city of all Syria. It was named Caesarea by Herod, in honour of Augustus, and dedicated by him to that emperor, in the twenty-eighth year of his reign. Upon this occasion, that the ceremony might be rendered illustrious, by a degree of profusion unknown in any former instance, Herod assembled the most skilful musicians, wrestlers, and gladiators, from all parts of the world. This solemnity was to be renewed every fifth year. But, as we viewed the ruins of this memorable city, every other circumstance, respecting its history was absorbed in the consideration that we were actually beholding the very spot where the scholar of Tarsus, after two years' imprisonment, made that eloquent appeal, in the audience of the king of Judea, which must ever be remembered with piety and delight. In the history of the actions of the holy Apostles, whether we regard the internal evidence of the narrative, or the interest excited by a story so wonderfully appalling to our passions and affections, there is nothing that we call to mind with fuller emotions of sublimity and satisfaction. ‘In the demonstration of the Spirit and of power,' the mighty advocate for the Christian faith had before ‘reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,' till the Roman governor, Felix, trembled as he spoke. Not all the oratory of Tertullus; not the clamour of his numerous adversaries; not even the countenance of the most profligate of tyrants, availed against the firmness and intrepidity of the oracle of God. The judge had trembled before his prisoner; and now a second occasion offered, in which, for the admiration and the triumph of the Christian world, one of the bitterest persecutors of the name of Christ, and a Jew, appeals, in the public tribunal of a large and populous city, to all its chiefs and its rulers, its governor and its king, for the truth of his conversion founded on the highest evidence." </p>

<p> ''''' ses ''''' - ''''' a ''''' - ''''' rē´a ''''' , ''''' sē ''''' - ''''' za ''''' - ''''' rē´a ''''' ( Καισαρεία , <i> ''''' Kaisareı́a ''''' </i> ): </p> <p> (1) Caesarea Palestina (pal-es-ti'na). The ancient name in the Arabic form <i> ''''' Ḳaisarı̄yeh ''''' </i> still clings to the ruins on the sea shore, about 30 miles North of Jaffa. It was built by Herod the Great on the site of Strato's Tower ( <i> Ant. </i> , Xiii , xi, 2; XV, ix, 6), and the name Caesarea Sebaste was given it in honor of Augustus (ibid., Xvi , v, 1). With his usual magnificence Herod lavished adornments on the city. He erected sumptuous palaces and public buildings, a theater, and amphitheater with prospect to the sea; while a spacious system of sewers under the city secured cleanliness and health. But "the greatest and most laborious work of all" was a magnificent harbor "always free from the waves of the sea," which Josephus says was not less than the Piraeus: this however is an exaggeration. It was of excellent workmanship, and all the more remarkable because the place itself was not suitable for such noble structures. The whole coast line, indeed, is singularly ill-fitted for the formation of harbors. The mighty breakwater was constructed by letting down stones 50 x 18 x 9 ft. in size into twenty fathoms deep. The mole was 200 ft. wide. Part was surmounted by a wall and towers. A promenade and dwellings for mariners were also provided. The work was done in ten or twelve years. It became the residence of the Roman procurator. It passed into the hands of Agrippa I; and here he miserably died (&nbsp;Acts 12:19 , &nbsp;Acts 12:23 ). Here dwelt Philip the Evangelist (&nbsp;Acts 8:40; &nbsp;Acts 21:8 ). To Caesarea Peter was sent to minister to the Roman centurion Cornelius (Acts 10). [[Thrice]] Paul passed through Caesarea (&nbsp;Acts 9:30; &nbsp;Acts 18:22; &nbsp;Acts 21:8 ); hither he was sent under guard from Jerusalem to escape danger from the Jews (&nbsp;Acts 23:23 ); and here he was imprisoned till his final departure for Rome. </p> <p> Riots between Gentiles and Jews in Caesarea gave rise to the war ( <i> BJ </i> , II, xiii, 7;. xiv, 4 f). [[Terrible]] cruelties were practiced on the Jews under Felix and Florus. Here Vespasian was hailed emperor by his soldiers. Titus here celebrated the birthday of his brother Domitian by setting 2,500 Jews to fight with beasts in the amphitheater. Eusebius was bishop of Caesarea (313-40 ad). In 548 ad a massacre of the Christians was organized and carried out by the Jews and Samaritans. The city passed into Moslem hands in 638. In the time of the Crusades it fell, now to the Christians and now to the Moslems; and was finally overthrown by Sultan Bibars in 1265 ad. </p> <p> The cathedral stood on the site of a temple built by Herod, where the ruins are seen today; as are also those of two aqueducts which conveyed water from <i> ''''' Nahr ez ''''' </i> - <i> ''''' Zerḳā ''''' </i> . The landward wall of the Roman city was nearly 3 miles in length. </p> <p> (2) Caesarea Philippi ( ''''' fi ''''' - ''''' lip´ı̄ ''''' ) (Καισαρεία ἡ Φιλίππου , <i> ''''' Kaisareı́a hē Philı́ppou ''''' </i> ). At the Southwest base of Mt. Hermon, on a rocky terrace, 1,150 ft. above sea-level, between <i> ''''' Wādy Khashabeh ''''' </i> and <i> ''''' Wādy Za‛areh ''''' </i> , lie the ruins of the ancient city. It was a center for the worship of Pan: whence the name Paneas, applied not only to the city, but to the whole district ( <i> Ant. </i> , XV, x, 3). It is possible that this may have been the site of ancient Baal-hermon; while [[Principal]] [[G. A]]  Smith would place Dan here ( <i> HGHL </i> , 480). The district was given by Augustus to Herod the Great 20 bc, by whom a temple of white marble was built in honor of the emperor. Paneas formed part of the tetrarchy of Philip. He rebuilt and beautified the town, calling it Caesarea as a compliment to Augustus, and adding his own name to distinguish it from Caesarea on the coast of [[Sharon]] ( <i> Ant. </i> , Xviii , ii, 1; <i> BJ </i> , II, ix, 1). From [[Bethsaida]] Jesus and His disciples came hither, and on the way Peter made his famous confession, after which Jesus began to tell them of His coming passion (&nbsp;Matthew 16:13; &nbsp;Mark 8:27 ). Some think that on a height near Caesarea Philippi Jesus was transfigured. See [[Transfiguration]] , Mount Of . Agrippa Ii renamed the town Neronias ( <i> Ant. </i> , XX, ix, 4). The ancient name however outlived both Caesare a and Neronias, and survives in the Arabic form <i> ''''' Bāniās ''''' </i> . The modern village, built among the ruins, contains 350 inhabitants. The walls and towers of which the remains are seen date from Crusading times. The castle, <i> ''''' eṣ ''''' </i> - <i> ''''' Ṣubeibeh ''''' </i> , crowns the hill behind the town, and must have been a place of strength from the earliest times. Its possession must always have been essential to the holding of the valley to the west. Immediately to the north of the town, at the foot of a steep crag, the fountain of the [[Jordan]] rises. Formerly the waters issued from a cave, <i> ''''' Maghāret rās en ''''' </i> - <i> ''''' Neba‛ ''''' </i> , "cave of the fountain head," now filled up with débris. Two niches cut in the face of the rock recall the idolatries practiced here in olden times. A shrine of el-Khudr stands on the west of the spring. With the rich soil and plentiful supplies of water, in a comparatively temperate climate, average industry might turn the whole district into a garden. As it is, the surroundings are wonderfully beautiful. </p>