The straight line of Israel’s seacoast has never lent itself to significant harbors. For centuries, only Joppa in the south and Acco in the north provided modest havens for ships. But in 22 BC, work began on a new port—a vast harbor befitting the grand ideals of its visionary, King Herod the Great.
At Caesarea today, a modern harbor rests in the same location as the ancient one. The few fishing vessels and pleasure boats moored to the modern pier do little justice to the port of the first century.
I shot the following video while flying in a helicopter over Caesarea.
In this video, you’ll see the ancient theater, Herod’s palace promontory, the hippodrome, and the ancient harbor.
(Video courtesy of Insight for Living)
Herod named the city, “Caesarea,” in honor of Caesar Augustus.
To further ingratiate the Roman ruler, Herod raised a temple for Augustus on the hill above the harbor. You can still see the ruins of the temple today. The site of the ancient harbor is today largely silted and covered with St. Augustine grass.
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(All pics courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
Herod’s harbor dwarfed the docks of today.
To provide Caesarea with sufficient fresh water, Herod built an aqueduct that stretched ten miles north to the springs below Mount Carmel.
The aqueduct also speaks of the importance of water in the Land of Israel.
Herod chose to build his lavish palace in Caesarea on a natural promontory that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea.
After the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC, Caesarea became the Roman seat of power in Israel for 500 years. Roman governors, or procurators, resided in Herod’s opulent palace in Caesarea.
The Apostle Paul was imprisoned on the grounds of the palace (or “Praetorium”) for two full years (Acts 23:35; 24:27). A sign today marks the likely spot.
When an team of Italian archaeologists excavated in Caesarea in 1961, they discovered an inscription with the words translated, “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.”
In the Google Street view window below, the Pontius Pilate inscription stands in the foreground and Herod’s Palace is in the background. Use the buttons to explore and look around!
Caesarea National Park enjoys about 1 million visitors annually—and for good reason.
Next week we’ll explore more of Caesarea’s treasures—namely, its ancient entertainment.
Tell me what you think: What most fascinates you about Caesarea? To leave a comment, just click here.
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