Capharnaum

Capharnaum is located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, 16 kilometers northeast of modern Tiberias, 3 kilometers northeast of ancient Heptapegon (modern Tabgha), and 5 kilometers southwest of the upper Jordan River. The original Semitic name Kofar Nahum (meaning "village of Nahum") is known from a Byzantine inscription found in the synagogue of Hammat-Gader; in some passages of the Mishnah (Midrash Ooh Rabba 1:8 and 7:26); and as late as the year 1333, when Rabbi Ishak Cheio visited the site., In the year 1668 the traveler Michel Nau wrote: "Capharnaum is called at present Talhum." Kefar Nahum, rendered in Greek as Capharnaum or Capernaum, is mentioned in first century AD sources, namely in Flavius Josephus, and particularly in the Gospels., Excavation has, however, pushed back the settlement's origins to the third millennium. Some walls, pavements and a considerable amount of pottery of the second millennium have been recorded, especially in areas n. 9-11 and under the monumental synagogue., After a complete break during the Israelite period (1200-587 BC), the site was resettled in the 5th century BC, and expanded progressively in the Hellenistic and Roman periods (300 BC-300 AD), reaching its peak in the Byzantine period (fourth-early seventh centuries AD)., Strata of the Early Roman Period (63 BC-70 AD) were reached in the Insula Sacra, in the areas n. 3, 7, 9, 10, 11 and under the monumental synagogue. Byzantine remains are abundant in all the areas so far excavated., Significant remains of the Arabic period (seventh-twelfth centuries AD) prove that the town was not abandoned after the destruction of the synagogue and of the octagonal church., They were found everywhere, particularly in area 8. Post-Byzantine remains were also found in the eastern part of ancient Capharnaum, i.e. in the Greek-Orthodox property., The ruins cover an area of approximately 6 ha. suggesting a population of about 1,500 during the town's maximum expansion. The settlement's center, which reveals town planning during that period of great prosperity, is marked by the monumental synagogue and of the octagonal church., These contemporary structures share the main north-south street (cardo maximus), intersected at right angles by several alleys (decumani) that form small quarters. Capharnaum was crossed by an imperial highway leading to Damascus. Most probably the highway bypassed the northern flank of Capharnaum; in fact some 100 meters northeast of the synagogue and close to a monumental Roman mausoleum a milestone was found bearing the name of the emperor Hadrianus (early second century AD)., Capharnaum was also a border town that received revenue from collecting customs. Its additional economic resources were fishing, agriculture, industry, and trade. It was also a prominent center of Christian pilgrimage. We learn from the gospels that Jesus left Nazareth and settled in Capharnaum (Matthew 4:12) which became "his own town" (Matthew 9:1) and the center of his messianic activity., From the community of Capharnaum Jesus chose many of his apostles either among fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, John) or publicans (Matthew). Nineteen seasons of archaeological excavations took place from 1968 to 1986 under the direction of Virgilio C. Corbo and Stanislao Loffreda in the Franciscan property., In the meantime Dr. Vasilios Tzaferis conducted four seasons of excavations in the Greek-Orthodox propertyfrom 1978 to 1984., The House of Saint Peter , Composite plan of the Insula Sacra from the second century BC to the seventh century AD, Three main levels of occupation are shown: , Level 1: original layout of private houses. , Level 2: fourth century Domus Ecclesia , Level 3: fifth century Octagonal Church, The Fifth Century , Octagonal Church, In the second half of the fifth century an octagonal church was erected on a raised level within the perimeter of the previous enclosure wall. The plan consisted of a small central octagon, of a larger concentric octagon, and of an outer semi-octagon from which one could reach both the interior of the church and the eastern sacristies., In a second phase a baptismal font was added in the middle of the eastern apse. Some rooms were also built along the south flank of the enclosure wall., In order to keep alive the memory of Peter's House, buried under the new mosaic floor; the Byzantines built the central octagon of their church right over the walls of the venerated room., An anonymus pilgrim of Piacenza passing through Capharnaum around 560-570, writes about this final transformation., "And so we came on to Capharnaum to the house of Saint Peter, which is now a basilica." Probably the church was destroyed during the Persian invasion in the early seventh century., Several Middle Ages structures were built in the area of the abandoned church. The modern Memorial upon the House of Saint Peter was dedicated on June 29 1990., The Fourth Century , Domus Ecclesia, In the late fourth century AD one special room (1) of St. Peter House measuring 5.80 by 6.45 meters, became a Domus Ecclesia, i.e. was used for religious gatherings., In the fourth century the traditional House of Peter was set apart from the rest of the town through the construction of an enclosure wall encompassing a perimeter of 112.55 meters., This Domus Ecclesia is referred to by Eteria in the late fourth century when she writes: "The house of the prince of the Apostles (i.e. Peter) was changed into a church. The walls, however, (of that house) are still standing as they were (originally).", The Insula Sacra , at the Time of Jesus, The traditional house of Peter was close to the lake shore and was flanked to the east by the main , north-south, road (cardo maximus) of the village., Spacious courtyards with a staircase and terra refractaria fire places were shared by several roofed rooms., The Christian community of Capharnaum paid special attention to a square room (1).