Page 51 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich

A Walk to Caesarea: A Historical-Archaeological Perspective 37

(pithoi /dolia) (Figs. 37–38), and wine – in local Fig. 40
amphorae. Exposed in one of the wings of the
northernmost of these mansions, which had a Debris of a fallen panel made
large courtyard surrounded by columns (Figs. of colorful inlaid stone pieces
39a–c), was a private bathhouse with three (opus sectile), serving as wall
bathing suites and a private latrine. An unusual decoration
finding, which was discovered in one of the rooms
in the second mansion, located more to the south,
is a workshop for large colorful tiny sawed opus
sectile stone pieces (Fig. 40). Such large panels
were used as floor and wall-covering in wealthy
mansions during the Late Roman/Byzantine era.

Interesting, detailed information about a number of the wealthy in Caesarea,
including their names, are found in the writings of Procopius of Caesarea – the
greatest secular historian of the Byzantine era. Apparently, he knew some of these
families personally. Procopius was born in Caesarea c. 500 and received a classical
education. He became a rhetor (advocate) and in 527 began to serve as a legal adviser
(assessor) to Belisarius – the general of Justinian’s army (527–565), accompanying
him in his wars. In Constantinople Procopius was a frequent, welcome visitor to
the palace of Justinian and Theodora in his role as court historian. He died in the
early 560’s, the exact date is unknown. His works, in Greek, were written far from
Caesarea, but the initial classical education he gained in the city is evident in
them. His writings include History of the Wars of Justinian (Bella), in eight books;
a volume On Buildings (Peri Ktismaton), which describes the emperor’s building
projects in the capital and in other parts of the empire, including Palaestina. He
also surreptitiously wrote The Secret History (or Anecdota), a scathing criticism
of the corruption and arbitrariness of his patrons – Belisarius, Justinian, and
Theodora.

The Wealthy of Caesarea

In the final chapter of the Secret History by Procopius of Caesarea (Anecdota 30), we find the story of Evangelius,
a lawyer/rhetor of Caesarea, a dignitary, very rich in money and land. Among his holdings was also the village
of Porphyreon, on the seashore, near Haifa and Castra (no certain identification), which he had acquired for 300
gold coins. This act aroused the jealousy of Emperor Justinian, arguing that it did not befit a man who was merely
a rhetor to be the owner of such a village, and he expropriated it, compensating him with only a small portion
of the sum he had paid. Another exceedingly rich man mentioned by name is Faustinus, born in Palaestina to a
venerable Samaritan family that had converted to Christianity (according to Procopius, nominally, when forced
to do so by law). Faustinus became a member of a local senate (bouleutes/curialis; the name of the city is not
specified; it seems it was Caesarea), and afterward was appointed governor of Palaestina. Shortly after his term
expired, he went to Constantinople, where some of the clergy accused him of having favored Samaritans and
persecuting the Christians during his term as governor of Palaestina. After investigation, he was punished with