The city of Caesarea Maritima was one of the most important
cities in Israel during the time of Christ and the first few
centuries of the early church. It was the home of Cornelius, the
first Gentile convert (Acts 10:1) and of Philip the evangelist
(Acts 8:40). Herod Antipas was smitten by an angel of the Lord
at Caesarea (Acts 12:21-23) and the apostle Paul visited the
city on many occasions (Acts 9:30; 23:23-35). In this first
century this city was usually referred to as Caesarea of
Palestine, but is now referred to as Caesarea Maritima, i.e.,
Caesarea by the Sea. When Judea was ruled by the Romans, their
governors resided in Caesarea. "The Romans annexed Judaea in 6
B.C., and made Caesarea the headquarters of the provincial
governor and his administration. Of these governors Pontius
Pilate was one. At first the province was known as Judaea, later
Palestina. In A.D. 66, when the Jews revolted, the pagans
massacred most of the Jewish population. Vespasian wintered
here, and gave the city the status of a Roma