Ruins of the Palace of Herod Antipas-
on Mt. Berenice
Waiting on the funds
and people-power to continue excavation
A bit of history for the Tiberius context:
Toward the end of the sixth century a church was built on a spur east of the summit of Mount Berenice, at a point affording a view of the entire Sea of Galilee and the Christian holy places around its shores. It was a typical Byzantine church: a rectangular building with nave and two aisles, ending in the east in an apse before which stood the altar. The floor was paved with mosaics. The church was probably destroyed in a great earthquake in the mid eighth century. Later it was repaired and remained in use till the final defeat of the Crusaders late in the twelfth century.
Berenice was the daughter of King Herod Agrippa 1
and is known in history for her three short-lived marriages.
Her story is captured mostly by Jewish historian Josephus.
Later, her connection with Titus
continued to keep her in the limelight.
She is mentioned in Acts, with her brother Agrippa II,
and the trial of Paul of Tarsus in Caesarea.
Yossi giving us
A bit of the history of Tiberius:
When the Israelites came to the Promised Land
we learn in Joshua 19:32-39-
that the western shore of the Sea of Galilee
was given to the tribe of Naphtali.
After Herod the Great died in 4 BC, Caesar Augustus
divided Israel's rule between Herod's three sons.
Herod Antipas was placed over Galilee and Peraea.
In 18 AD, Antipas decides to build the capital
of his realm on the ruins
of the two ancient villages- Hammath and Rakkath.
He named it in honor of the Roman ruler- Tiberius.
Though Tiberius is mentioned in the Gospels,
we don't know that Jesus visited here,
but Jesus would have heard about
the construction of the new Galilean capital.
We also know that the people of Tiberius
had heard of Jesus:
" Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place
where the people had eaten the bread
after the Lord had given thanks."
John 6:23
After that Tiberius moved
through many political changes.
637 AD- Captured by the Arabs
11th Century- Reclaimed by the Crusaders
1187- Recaptured by Sultan Saladin
1247- Occupied by Egypt
16th Century- Part of the Ottoman Empire
18th Century- Rebuilt and fortified by Ottoman ruler-
Dahir al-Umar
1837- an earthquake leveled part of the city, 800 people died
1904- Jewish settlers moved into Galilee
www.inisrael.com
Tiberius is one of the lowest -lying towns
in the world at 689 ft below sea level.
High rise hotels and a more modern look
move this part of the Sea of Galilee
into another century.
One of the few areas around the Sea of Galilee,
where it is a bit more challenging to
"picture Jesus here".
After 1948, it has become a city that is mostly Jewish,
with centers for Jewish learning and culture.
A city that still needs to hear the story of the
"man from Galilee- Jesus."
in the world at 689 ft below sea level.
High rise hotels and a more modern look
move this part of the Sea of Galilee
into another century.
One of the few areas around the Sea of Galilee,
where it is a bit more challenging to
"picture Jesus here".
After 1948, it has become a city that is mostly Jewish,
with centers for Jewish learning and culture.
A city that still needs to hear the story of the
"man from Galilee- Jesus."
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