Page 33 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich

A Walk to Caesarea: A Historical-Archaeological Perspective 19

the presence of the governor and, having Roman citizenship, he pledged to be tried before Caesar in Rome. Before
being sent from the harbor of Caesarea by ship to Rome, Paul had a hearing in the presence of Agrippa II and his
second sister, Berenice, who was also renowned for her beauty (later she caught the eye of Vespasian and became
the mistress of his son Titus, until she was forced to leave Rome when he was appointed emperor). The two came
to Caesarea to congratulate Festus on his appointment as procurator of Judea. Paul was called to the audience hall
(Greek: akroaterion), in the presence of Festus, Agrippa, and Berenice, the military tribunes, and the city leaders,
so as to present his case to them. Festus consulted with Agrippa on how to phrase his letter to the emperor on
Paul’s affair. After the hearing, the government, king Agrippa, Berenice, and the other dignitaries withdrew to
another hall, apparently in a nearby suite (Acts 21:15–27:1).

“Herod’s Praetorium” was exposed almost in its entirety during the excavations. On its upper terrace, north of
the courtyard, a large hall was uncovered (Fig. 17). It may be presumed that this is the audience hall or law court
of the governor, with a podium at its rear end, upon which he sat when holding court, surrounded by his council.
Nearby, on the east, a suite overlooking the sea was uncovered – an impressive location for hospitality.

After the Destruction of the Second a
Temple – Caesarea as a Roman Colony
Fig. 18a–b
After the suppression of the Great Revolt, Caesarea The palace of the financial procurator, proposed reconstruction
became a colony named “Prima Flavia Augusta,” of Phase 1
honoring Emperor Vespasian (69–79), the founder of the (a) View from the southwest
Flavian Imperial dynasty. Such is its name on the city (b) View from the northeast
coins. Alexander Severus (222–235), in 231/2, granted
it the rank of metropolis, which was added to its previous b
titles on the coins. About the time of the establishment
of the colony in 71 CE, a change also occurred in the
status of the province (the name of which was changed
from Judaea to Syria-Palaestina after the Bar Kochba
revolt). In place of a governor of equestrian rank, it was
administered from then on by an imperial delegate of a
senatorial rank and former praetor (legatus Augusti pro
praetore). Herod’s palace was expanded and improved,
continuing to serve as the governor’s palace – praetorium.
The governor was also the commander of the army,
which at first consisted of one – and later, when the
governor became a proconsul – two legions. Yet, already
after the suppression of the First Revolt taxation and the
financial affairs of the province became the responsibility
of a financial governor – an official of equestrian rank,
namely, the procurator provinciae. Another praetorium
was constructed in Caesarea for him, which served as
his residence and his government compound (officium)
(Figs. 18a–b). A Latin building inscription from 77/8 CE,