Caesarea Maritima

 Today is Sunday, and we went to church with our friends here. It was a christian church and filled with many lovely arab christians very heartfelt in their worship. It was beautiful to watch. They had given us devices that we could put in our ears to translate the message, which we didn't end up needing as there was a guest speaker from the UK visiting. I really enjoyed it and it was so meaningful to see people across the world from from where I live, worshiping and praising Jesus in the same way that we do in Montana. Very moving. Afterwards we enjoyed the most delicious baklava I have ever tasted. Sooo good. We then drove to a nearby town called Afula and had burgers at BBB (Burgus Burger Bar). It was very nice to eat something somewhat American. Then we took a road trip to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Caesarea Maritima. We looked at the ruins and spent some time swimming and hanging out at the beach. It was a beautiful relaxing day!

 

 During the Persian rule (586-332 BC), the Phoenicians built a settlement on the shoreline of one of the bays, where the ground water level was high. The village flourished in the Hellenistic Period (332-37 BC) and is first mentioned in a document from 259 BC under the name of Straton's Tower.

 In 103 BC, the village and Straton's Tower was conquered by the Hasmonean kingdom and then torn away from in after the Roman conquest. In the year 30 BC, the village was awarded to Herod, who ruled between the years 37-4 BC. He built a large port city at the site, and called it Caesarea in honor of his patron Octavian Augustus Caesar. Caesarea was a planned city, with a network of crisscrossing roads, a temple, theater, amphitheater, markets and residential areas. It took 12 years to build and great festivities were held to mark its completion in 10/9 BC. By the year 6 BC it became the headquarters of the Roman government in Palestine. After the fall of Jerusalem, Ceaserea became the most important city in the country.

Overview of the Ampitheater, a huge U-shaped structure, used for horse racing, sporting events and entertainment.

All that is left of Herod's giant pool that was attached to his lavish palace.

 During the Byzantine period, the city flourished, and extended over some 400 acres. Towards the end of the 6th century a perimeter wall was built, making Caesarea the largest fortified city in the country.

 Following the Arab conquest in 640 AD, Caesarea lost its political and economic significance. Most of its citizens left the city, and it became a small forsaken village. Only in the 9th century, with the development of sea-trade and recovery fo the coastal cities, was Caesarea refortified. It was conquered by the Crusaders in 1101 AD.

Here you can see the stands on the right. The stands on the left are now in the sea.

 In 1265 it was conquered again by the Mamelukes and was destroyed and deserted. Its ruins became a source of lime and building stones for the region. It remained desolate until the late 19th century, when the Ottoman authorities settled Bosnian refugees there. Today it is a thriving tourist attraction with many shops and restaurants and a nearby Jewish settlement.

Possible holding cells for Gladiators or animals for the arena

They say it seated 5000 people

This would have been the path taken by competitors as they were being announced

Loving the warm salty air. Beth snuck this picture of me

Entering the most ancient of all theaters found in Israel. It continued to be used for hundreds of years after Herod had it built. It could accommodate 4000 spectators. They were getting ready for a concert they were hosting the next day. Can you imagine sitting in this theater watching a band play in the same seat of a Roman 2000 some years ago? Incredible.

 Since Caesarea had no rivers or springs, drinking water for the Roman and Byzantine city was brought via a water carrier (aqueduct). The Aqueduct was consisted of three canals, and in low lying areas, sections of the aqueduct were carried on arches.

The beach was a relaxing time for all of us. We love the beach and the water was so warm it was unexpected! It was nice to take a breather and just be together. The next few days we are just hanging out at the house and resting up before we travel back to Bethlehem for the camp we will be helping out at.

Hannah and our friend's daughter Haley

Searching for shells

playing in the beach sand

God has been so gracious to us while we have been here. The girls have struggled with the different foods and time zones, as well as the language difficulties. They really miss home, miss their friends and significant others, and they miss the American culture. But they would also say that they have learned so much here and that God has been changing each of their hearts in significant ways. We all have been changed. The bible is completely different to me now. It is even more alive and active. I can visualize each scene now and it becomes 3-D. Seeing other cultures and nationalities and countries and learning about their beliefs in God and how they worship has changed many preconceived ideas and notions. I think sometimes we get so caught up in our little bubbles that we don't realize that people all over the world are struggling... are praying... are raising families and just trying to have a home and food on the table. That they are crying out to the Lord for mercy, for strength, for justice, for hope, for peace... just like us.

"For God so loved the World, that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16  

Jesus came for all of us. Our brothers in sisters in every country near and far. Praise be to God.