By Dr. Randall Smith
Courtesy of Christian Travel Study Programs, Ltd.
Banias?s first inhabitants were probably the Greek Seleucids who conquered the region in 198 B.C. With its constant flowing waters, caves and cliffs below the majestic Hermon Mountain, Banias was so impressive that the Seleucids apparently endowed the Banias with supernatural powers. It is likely that the scenery around Banias reminded them of home, for they imported stories about Pan ? the pagan god of nature – to the cliff and Banias spring. In fact, scholars believe the ancients held that the half-goat, half-man god resided within the cave!
Five niches hewn in the rock are remnants of a temple built to Pan. An inscription at the base of one of the niches refers to Pan as a “lover of the tunes” as he was famous for his reed flute. Banias was originally called Panias in his honor. Its current name is a local corruption of the letter P.
After Panias came under Roman rule, King Herod built a magnificent white temple at the site. Following Herod’s death his son Herod Phillip established Panias as his capital city and called it Caesarea-Phillipi to distinguish it from Caesarea on the coast. Hundreds of years later Crusaders added a great fortified wall to Caesarea-Phillipi, which was the site of numerous battles between Christians and Moslems during the Crusader era.
It was near Caesarea-Phillipi, the center of pagan worship, that Jesus traveled with His disciples to examine their understanding of who He was. Here Peter proclaimed his identity. Jesus responded, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” [Matthew 16:18].
© Christian Travel Study Programs, Ltd.
