Day 6 - Bet She'an, Jordan River, Capernaum

We began the day by going to Bet She'an for some really spectacular ruins.  Bet She'an is located at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and Jezreel Valley and was often strategically significant.  The first inhabitants of the settlement were there in 6,000 to 5,000 BC.  The Egyptians conquered the area during pharaoh Thutmose III's reign in 1500 BC and used it primarily for military personnel.  They lived at the top of the hill in this picture:

At the top of the hill (Tel) we saw remains from that period:

A view from the hill down to the Roman ruins:

Around 1150 BC, Bet She'an was destroyed by fire.  The Egyptians did not attempt to rebuild the city and lost control of the region.  Then around 1100 BC, the Philistines conquered Bet She'an and used it as a base of operations for further penetrations into Israel proper.  During a battle against the Jewish King Saul at nearby Mount Gilboa in 1004 BC, the Philistines were victorious and hung the body of King Saul on the walls of Bet She'an.  King David was able to capture Bet She'an in a series of brilliant military campaigns that expelled the Philistines from the area.

Various groups controlled this area and then the Romans came around 63 BC.  It was called Scythopolis and became the leading city of the Decapolis.  Many of the ruins we saw were found dating to the Byzantine period (330-636).  We learned that Jesus most probably never set foot in this city.

The theater:

There were snack bars next to each of the portals between the first and second levels.  The snack bars had separate entrances from the outside.

View of the cardo (see the line of columns?) from the theater:

Just love a row of columns!

 Beautiful carved detail

 These pylons held up a floor with hot water running underneath to create heated floors.

 Remnants of tile floors

 Mark demonstrating the use of the public toilets

From there we drove to the Jordan River where many people get baptized today and is near the Sea of Galilee.  Perhaps Jesus was baptized here, but another guess is near the Dead Sea,

We stopped for lunch at a kibbutz between the Jordan River and Capernaum along the Sea of Galilee.  We had St. Peter's fish, otherwise known as tilapia.  We were assured that they were caught in the Sea of Galilee.

 Our next stop was Capernaum where we saw a wine press:

and the remains of houses around the time that Peter and Andrew lived here and were called by Jesus to become fishers of men.

In the above photo, the building is a church that is built over the spot where it is believed Peter lived.  Inside the church is a glass floor so you can see into the foundation of his house.

 Statue of Peter: Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.

We ended the day at the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  Cheryl and I tried to walk on the water.  We failed.