There are no natural sources of water at Caesarea and the demand for water during the Roman occupation was considerable. The Roman legions built an aqueduct to bring water from the foothills of Mt. Carmel, about eight miles away.
A channel four miles long was cut through natural rock and for the remaining four miles water was piped into an aqueduct.
Caesarea was a city of commercial importance until after the Crusades. It was from here that the Polos set out in the 13th century for their travels to the court of the Great Khan of the Mongols in far-off Peking (Beijing, China).
During preliminary underwater digs in 1978, archaeologists were stunned to discover concrete blocks near the breakwater offshore, an indication of the highly sophisticated use of hydraulic concrete, which hardens underwater.
Thousands of columns standing in parallel rows along the main streets formed majestic promenades throughout the city. They were made of marble imported from Italy and Egypt; columns of pink granite came from Aswan.
The city of Caesarea was one of the most important cities in Israel during the time of Christ and the first few centuries of the early church. It was the home of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert (Acts 10:1) and of Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:40). Herod Agrippa was smitten by an angel of the Lord at Caesarea (Acts 12:21-23) and the apostle Paul visited the city on many occasions (Acts 9:30; 23:23-35).
The name Caesarea Maritima was unknown in ancient times -- it was usually known as Caesarea of Palestine. Caesarea Maritima means Caesarea by the sea -- it is a name given in modern times to separate this city from Caesarea Philippi. The city was named Caesarea by Herod the Great, in honor of his patron, Caesar Augustus.
In 1962 the Pontius Pilate Stone was discovered, which provides tangible evidence of Pilate's presence in Judea in Jesus' time and gives clarification of his title -- prefect (see: Matt. 27:2, 24; Mark 15:1, 5, 15, 44; Luke 3:1; 13:1; 23:12, 52; John 18:29, 33; 19:8-19, 38; Acts 3:13; 4:27; 13:28).
Among the remains at Caesarea you will find a Roman theater which could seat 4500 spectators.
From the Theater looking out into the Mediterranean Sea.
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