Caesarea: Where Paul appealed to Caesar

The first time I went to Caesarea (in 2017), we walked thru the theater and then on the remains of Herod’s Palace.

This time, I got to explore the whole city- the Roman and Crusader parts, and everything in between. From the ancient synagogue to the hippodrome, Pilot’s basement, and the theater once again, it was a day to remember!

It took Herod the Great 9 years to construct Caesarea on the remains of the ancient Phoenician town of Strato's Tower. The town had Roman-style buildings, a large aqueduct stretching 16 miles, an artificial harbor of concrete blocks, a large theater that could seat 4,000, and a hippodrome for 30,000.

the lower section of Herod's summer home- indoor pool!

Herod had a palace here (this Caesarea was better known as 'Caesarea Maritime') and Pilot had a residence as well. After Jesus' ascension back into heaven, the Early Church thrived here after the conversation of Cornelius and his family. Paul was actually imprisoned here for 2 years and testified before Agrippa, Felix, and Festus, before being sent to Rome. Caesarea fell in 66AD to the Romans, and was also a significant during the Bar Kochba Revolt of 132-135 AD. Rabbi Akiba and 9 others were martyred here, something that is observed by the Jews on Yom Kippur.

Then, Caesarea became the capital of Syrio-Palestina, the name given to Israel when its name was taken by the Emperior Hadrian after the revolt in 135 (Palestine means "Philistine", who were a sea-faring people from somewhere else). Britannica says the city declined under the Byzantine and Arab rule, then was built back up by the Crusaders, then was razed to the ground by the Mamluks in 1265.

Wow!!!

And, this is one of those places where it is IMPOSSIBLE to see it all in 1 trip. I'll definitely need to go back and explore more! But here are some of the sites that made me gasp:

1. Ancient Roman Roads- with ORIGINAL FLOORS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T EVEN!!!!!

2. The lowest level of Pilot's Palace (his cellar), as well as some storage facilities:

3. The view from the Byzantine-era synagogue and more of the harbor: 

What an incredible place! There's so much more to learn and explore. Next time I'll have to go with a guide (for the whole day)!

900-year-old sword discovered in Israel

Last week, Shlomi Katzin was scuba diving off the coast of Atlit, when something caught his eye. Moving closer, he realized it was an iron sword more than 3 feet in length!

Having already seen marine-encrusted stone anchors and pottery shards, he realized this was a big deal and brought the to shore in order for it to be kept safe from moving sand. There he called the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) to let them know of his find. Simple tests showed that this sword was more than 900 years old—dating back to the time of the Crusades!

WOW!

Such finds like this are common, the IAA's Marine Archaeology Unit Director, Kobi Sharvit explained, because "the Carmel Coast has a lot of natural coves, which once upon a time, 'provided shelter for ancient ships during storms, and larger coves around the port cities developed.'"

Since 2010, when a huge winter storm brought more than 50-foot waves to hammer the Carmel coastline, the underwater topography changed as well, which ushered in one of the largest and most prolific periods of marine archeology in Israel's history according to the Jerusalem Post's Rossella Tercatin. 

Sharvit pointed out that "the coast of Israel is a bridge between east and west and north and south", and then a thick layer of sand from the Nile has helped preserve archeological evidence.

Every storm that comes through, every strong wave, has the potential to shift the seabed and reveal more historical treasure underneath. With the winter rains still to come, I wonder what will be revealed this year?

Chosen by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Last week, I re-read a beloved series from the 1990s, the Full Circle Series by Lisa Tawn Bergren. It's a fun series because each book is set in an incredibly picturesque (and adventurous!) location, and the main characters of each novel are loosely connected to each other (a relative, friend, or roommate of the heroine/hero of the previous book... hence, a full circle). 

Even though I've read this series many times, I'd forgotten the setting of book 5: Israel!

(it has a different cover on Amazon, but this is the cover I have)

Like I said, I'd completely forgotten about this book! But in addition to describing so many places I visited on my first trip to Israel, it reminded me of A Chosen People novels by Robert Whitlow and all I've been reading about the conflict and dynamics of Israel and Palestine. Like Hana in A Chosen People, the main character is a Christian Palestinian woman, and she has one of the most fascinating jobs (to me!) ever: a biblical archeologist!

For me, it's all so incredible to explore, but the dynamics of a Palastinian Christian biblical archeologist- WOW!

So if you've ever wanted to join to a dig (at the Temple Mount!) in the heart of Jerusalem (#goals), and have an incredible adventure, all while exploring the culture and issues and modern day Israel, this is definitely the book for you!

You can buy it here on Amazon (Oh, and while reading the whole series will give you the #fullcircleeffect, you don't necessarily have to read the other books in the series to read this one- although I do recommend them all... ESPECIALLY book 4. Don't get me started on that one!)!

The Advocate

I'm currently re-reading an amazing book: The Advocate by Randy Singer.

Set in the time of the ancient Roman Empire, its story follows a character from Rome, to Rhodes, to Israel, and back to Rome. It gives a brilliant depiction of the culture, practices, places, and people of its time.

You'll stroll through the Roman Forum and sit in the Colosseum, then head south to Caesarea and Jerusalem during the most important Passover there ever was. You'll see familiar people—Seneca and Pontius Pilate, Joseph of Arimethea, Paul, Luke, and so many more—even Jesus.

If you love historical fiction, I 100% recommend this book!

The Roman Aqueduct

One of the many marvels of Roman invention is the aqueduct. These aqueducts, on the way to Caesarea in Israel still stand.

Caesarea (Paul before Festus and King Agrippa)

This theater is where Paul defended himself before Festus and King Agrippa in Acts 25-26.

It sits in Caesarea, just off the Mediterranean sea. Caesarea was a city built by Herod for retired Roman soldiers (there are others throughout the country, like Caesarea Philippi- where Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah in Matthew 16).

Standing down near the stage, hearing the waves of the sea pounding from behind, you can imagine what it was like for Paul to argue his case in front some of the most powerful rulers of his day. It is here Paul said to Festus, "I have not done any wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.... I appeal to Caesar!"

And then later, to King Agrippa, "Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?"