Caesarea Philippi/Paneas
Capital of the Tetrarchy.
Inhabitants or natives
Anna and Benjamin, her husband, Dorcas the young widow and her son Jesai Tobias, the steward of Philip.
Description
"The city must be of recent construction like Tiberias and Ashkelon. Built on a sloping plan dominated by a fortress bristling with towers, surrounded by cyclopean walls, defended by deep moats in which partly descends the Water of two streams which, after almost joining at an angle, then separate flowing, one outside the city and the other inward. Beautiful streets, squares, fountains, a presentation of constructions in the fashion of Rome"[1]. And "The city, no doubt because it is a hub of main roads taken by caravans going to Damascus, Tyre, Safed or Tiberias, as indicated at all gates by signboards, is full of people on the move. Pedestrians, riders, caravans of donkeys and camels cross in the wide and well-kept streets, and groups of merchants or idlers gather in the squares, under porticoes, near luxurious dwellings." "'The Great Spring', (...) 'a high stone wall from which water flows out'." This is the source of the Jordan, a gathering place with its baths and temples.
To the north: "At the top, on the summit of a mountain, there is a massive castle or fortress, which amazes because of its unusual shape"[2]. From the detailed descriptions that follow, it is undoubtedly the Fortress of Minrod.
Maria Valtorta describes: "The 'Great Spring', (...) 'a high stone wall from which water flows out'"[3]. This is the source of the Jordan, a gathering place with its baths and temples.
Notable events
It is going towards this city that Jesus suddenly asks his Apostles "Who do men say I am?" To which Peter replies "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!" - "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church..."[4]
It is in this city that he explains the sign of Jonah, announcing his death and Resurrection, which he had said a few days before at Kedesh[5].
In the fortress of the Philip the Tetrarch, Jesus resurrects the stillborn baby Jesai Tobias of the young widow of Tobit, Dorcas[6].
Its name
Caesarea Philippi, Caesarea Paneas, Banias, Baniyas, Banyas, Caesarea Paneas, Paneas.
בניאס (Banias)[7]
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 102
EMV 344 EMV 345
EMV 565 EMV 576
Learn more about this place
Excerpt from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère:"Caesarea Philippi (Caesarea Philippi)[8] is located at the foot of Mount Hermon, near the main source of the Jordan, 6 km east of Dan; 48 km from Tyre; 60 km southeast of Damascus; and 240 km from Jerusalem. King Herod Philip II made it the capital of his kingdom shortly after the birth of Jesus. It is also nicknamed Paneas or Paneon, because the Greeks worshiped the God Pan there, son of Hermes. Also known in the Bible[9] as Baal-Gad, or Baal Hermon, due to the presence of a temple dedicated to Baal." Its nickname "Paneade" is due to the Greek worship of the God Pan. Herod the Great built a temple there to Caesar Augustus, and Philip the Tetrarch gave it his name; the specification "of Philip" distinguishes it from the port of Caesarea on the Sea.
Explore
• 33° 14’ 44’’ N / 35° 41’ 34’’ E
• +366m
Notes and references
Article partially written using the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère.