CiESAKEA® 
extraordinary height of splendour, as did this of Caesarea ;* or 
that exhibits a more awful contrast to its former magnificence, 
by the present desolate appearance of its ruins. Not a single 
inhabitant remains. Its theatres, once resounding with the 
shouts of multitudes, echo no other sound than the nightly 
cries of animals roaming for their prey. Of its gorgeous pala¬ 
ces and temples^ enriched with the choicest works of art, and 
decorated with the most precious marbles, scarcely a trace cam 
be discerned.f Within the space of ten years after laying the 
foundation, from an obscure fortress it became the most celebra¬ 
ted and flourishing city of all Syria. It was named Caesarea by 
Herod, in honour of Augustus, and dedicated by him to that 
emperor, in the twenty*eighth year of his reign.J Upon this 
occasion, that the ceremony might be rendered illustrious by a 
degree of profusion unknown in any former instance, Herod 
assembled the most skilful musicians, wrestlers, and gladiators, 
from all parts of the world.§ The solemnity was to be renew- 
ed every fifth year. It was afterward called Colonia Mama $ 
in consequence of privileges granted by Vespasian.il But, as 
we viewed the ruins of this memorable city, every other cir¬ 
cumstance respecting its history was absorbed in the considera- 
lion, that we were actually beholding the very spot where the 
scholar of Tarsus, after two years’ imprisonment, made that 
eloquent appeal, in the audience of the king of Judaea, which 
must ever be remembered with piety and delight. In the his¬ 
tory of the actions of the Holy Apostles, whether we regard 
the internal evidence of the narrative, or the interest excited 
by a story so wonderfully appealing to our passions and affec¬ 
tions, there is nothing we call to mind with fuller emotions of 
sublimity and satisfaction. “ In the demonstration of the spirit 
and of power,” the mighty advocate for the Christian faith 
had before reasoned of “righteousness, temperance, and judg¬ 
ment to come,” till the Roman governor, Felix, trembled as he 
spoke. Not all the oratory of Teriullus ; not the clamour of 
his numerous adversaries; cot even the countenance of the 
most profligate of tyrants, availed against the firmness and 
* Seethe account of it in Josephus. De Antiq. Jud. lib. xv, c. 13. (the buildings 
were.all.of marble;) lib. xyi, c. 9. Colon. 1691. 
f Herod caused the tower of Strato to be completely covered with white marble? 
against the arrival of Augustus. 
X In the 192 Olympiad. 
i Josephus rates the expense of it at five hundred talents, 
jj “ Eadem Caesarea, ab Heroderege eondita: nunc colonia prima Flavia, a Vespar 
siario Imperatore deducts.” Plinii Histor. Natural, lib. v. c S3, tom, 1. p. £62, JU 
..at, 1635. 
