Page 42 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies - Textbook w videos short

Caesarea by the Sea (Maritima)

Starting about 25 BC, Herod the Great built a brand-new city on the Mediterranean coastline.
Completed in 12 years, Caesarea was modeled after the great cities of the Roman Empire. Herod named
it for the emperor and built a temple overlooking his manmade port that honored Caesar as the “son of
the gods.” Peter met Cornelius, a Roman centurion, here (Acts 10). Paul was held prisoner here for two
years (Acts 24:27). And many of Paul’s missionary journeys either started or ended in Herod’s port.

The price of enjoying the “Roman Peace” was enduring the presence of Roman oppressors. Into this
volatile environment, Jesus was born.

Toward the end of his life, Herod fell ill and died of what historians claimed was a terribly painful,
wasting disease. It consumed his body. But even as he faced the end of his life, he used violence to
enforce his decrees and protect his throne.

Caesarea by the Sea: Rome’s Capital in Israel

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