Bet Shean/Scythopolis, Megiddo, Caesarea

Day 7, january, 15, 2014

Bet Shean/Scythopolis

Bet Shean was an Israelite settlement that eventually became the Roman town of Scythopolis.  It was a grand city with streets lined with columns, a large bath house, theater and much more.  It was the New York City of Israel in Jesus' time.  It was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century so it remains trapped in time under a layer of debris. This huge city is still being excavated but what is uncovered now is huge.

The original stone streets are intact.

Beautiful mosaics were uncovered.

And unbelievable marble and granite that tops much of the limestone.

The largest Roman bath house found is here.  They heated the bottom of the pool including the stone stumps and then water is poured over it to make a steam bath.  They steam cleaned their bodies since daily showers and soap were not around.  They also had some interesting stone bathrooms!

Much of the theater is intact.

The theater seating.

Incredible acoustics for a song by Caitlin and a sweet time of worship.

Mt. Carmel

The site where the god contest was held in 1 Kings 18 with Elijah, Ahab and Baal.

This is an incredible view across the Jezreel Valley.  Randy shared thoughts with us about how this experience in Israel affects our ministry.  "You can be Jewish without Christianity but you cannot be Christian without Judaism."

We should all have such a backdrop when we speak!

Caesaria

Built by King Herod on the coast of the Mediterranean as the largest port in Israel and one of the largest in the world, the site at Caesaria has only been excavated in the last 20 years. It has a theater that seats 4-5000 and is still in use, a hippodrome and the remains of a palace and seaside, freshwater swimming pool as well as a massive aquaduct system.  The hippodrome, built for chariot races,  held 10,000 spectators and was 200 yards long.  Herod held an "Olympics" at Caesaria.  At that time, if you won first place in Athens, you got a laurel wreath.  At Herod's Olympics in Caesaria, first place got a gold medal, second place - silver and third place - bronze.  Sound familiar?

The theater.

The hippodrome is in the forefront.

The square hole is where the freshwater swimming pool was.

Mosaics still on the pool deck area.

Interesting first century restrooms at the hippodrome.

The aquaduct miles down the beach.

Sunset on the Mediterranean.

Jerusalem tomorrow!