JEWISH VIRTUAL LIBRARY: Caesarea is an important site in Christian history. Thinking Roman city, right? What gave it away? It was the place where Pontius Pilate governed during the time of Jesus. Paul was also imprisoned for two years in Caesarea.
Caesarea was originally called Straton's Tower after its founder Straton, who is believed to have been a ruler of Sidon in the 4th century BCE. In 96 BCE the city was captured by Alexander Yannai and remained in the Hasmonean kingdom until it became an autonomous city by Pompey. After being for some time in the possession of Cleopatra, ruler of Egypt, it was returned by Augustus to Herod.The Crusader fortifications were embellished by King Louis IX of France -- St. Louis -- who spent a year in Caesarea after being released from prison in Egypt in 1251.
The hippodrome built by Herod also is still identifiable, though it is now a banana field.
The population of Caesarea was half gentile and half Jewish, often causing disputes among the people. In 6 CE, Caesarea became the home of the Roman governors (Procurators) of Judea. The city remained the capital of Roman and Byzantine Palestine. Today, it is one of Israel's major tourist attractions and an increasingly popular place for Israel's elite to make their homes. This is also the home of Israel's famous Carmel wineries, which began operations in 1886 and now offer tours that conclude with wine tasting.
