Caesarēa
（
Καισάρεια).
1.
The principal city of Samaria, situated on the coast, and anciently called Turris
Stratonis, “Strato's tower.” Who this Strato was is not clearly
ascertained. The first inhabitants were Syrians and Greeks (Joseph.
Ant. Iud.
xx. 6). It was subsequently made a magnificent city and port by Herod, who called it
Caesarea, in honour of Augustus; and it now began to receive Jews among
its inhabitants. Frequent contentious hence arose, in consequence of the diversity of faiths
that prevailed within its walls. Here the Roman governor resided, and a Roman garrison was
continually kept. Vespasian, after the Jewish War, settled a Roman colony in it, with the
additional title of Colonia Prima Flavia. In later times it became the capital of Palaestina
Prima. This city is frequently mentioned in the New Testament. Here King Agrippa was smitten,
for neglecting to give God the praise when the people loaded him with flattery. Here
Cornelius the centurion was baptized; and also Philip, the deacon, with his four daughters;
and here Agabus the prophet foretold to Paul that he would be bound at Jerusalem (Acts, viii.
10). The modern name of the place is Kaisarieh. It was the birthplace of Eusebius.
2.
The capital of Mauritania Caesariensis, and a place of some note in the time of the Roman
emperors. It was originally called Iol, but was beautified at a subsequent period by Iuba,
who made it his residence, and changed its name to Caesarea, in honour of Augustus.
3.
Caesarea ad Argaeum, the capital of Cappadocia, called by this
name in the reign of Tiberius, previously Mazaca. It was situate at the foot of Mount
Argaeus, as its name indicates, and was a place of great antiquity, its foundation having
even been ascribed by some writers to Mesech, the son of Japhet (Ioseph.
Ant.
Iud. i. 6). The modern name is Kaisarieh.
4.
Caesarēa Philippi, a town on the northern confines of
Palestine, in the district of Trachonitis, at the foot of Mount Paneus, and near the springs
of the Jordan. It was also called Leshem, Laish, Dan, and Paneas. The name Paneas is supposed
to have been given it by the Phœnicians. The appellation of Dan was given to it by
the tribe of that name, because the portion assigued to them was “too little for
them,” and they therefore “went up to fight against Leshem (or Laish,
Judg. xviii. 29), and took it,” calling it “Dan, after the name of Dan,
their father” (Josh. xix. 47). Eusebius and Jerome distinguish Dan from Paneas as
if they were different places, though near each other; but most writers consider them as one
place, and even Jerome himself, on Ezek. xlviii., says that Dan or Leshem was afterwards
called Paneas. Philip, the tetrarch, rebuilt it, or at least embellished and enlarged it, and
named it Caesarea, in honour of the emperor Tiberius; and afterwards Agrippa, in compliment
to Nero, called it Neronias.
5.
Caesarēa Insŭla, now the island of Jersey.
