Christian Church of 500 AD

First Christian Church of Ashkelon

Here are two views of a Christian Church in Ashkelon dating from around 500 AD.

Our guide is pointing out a painting on the wall that is slowly fading from view now that it is exposed to the sun and other elements of weather.

Caesarea's Artificial Port

This is what is left of an artificial port that King Herod built at Caesarea. 

The site along the coast that Herod chose for the city of Caesarea for the Romans to use did not have a natural harbor or port so he went to the great expense to build one. 

He used a new Roman invention called hydraulic concrete - that is concrete that sets under water.

The sea filled in the port with sand long ago and this is what is left of the docks which are now quite a bit inland.

Sermon On the Mount Here?

This is called Mt. Beatitude and it is the only one that fits the description in the Gospel according to Matthew as the only mountain near Capernaum. 

The gentle slopes allows for a voice to carry down hill a long way.

This is me in 1999 on the top of the mountain in front of a church build by Mussolini and is still funded by his endowment.