Biblical city
Caesarea
Caesarea, Israel · Mediterranean coast of Judea
Herod the Great built this harbor city as the Roman administrative capital of Judea. Cornelius was baptized here (Acts 10), and Paul was imprisoned here for two years before sailing to Rome. The site preserves the theater, aqueduct, and an inscription naming Pontius Pilate.
History in Scripture
Cornelius was converted here, opening the gospel to the Gentiles; Philip settled here; Paul was imprisoned for two years and defended himself before Felix, Festus and Agrippa before sailing for Rome. Herod Agrippa I died here.
The ancient city
Herod the Great built the city and its artificial harbour, Sebastos, as Rome's administrative capital of Judea, with a theatre, hippodrome and aqueduct — the seat of the prefects, including Pontius Pilate.
The site today
Caesarea National Park in Israel preserves the theatre, harbour and aqueduct; the Pilate inscription found there is the only contemporary epigraphic mention of Pilate.
Key passages
Sources & notes
Description summarizes standard historical and archaeological reference works. Imagery is added separately and is labeled by type.