(2) Caesarea Philippi. Towards the springs of the Jordan, and near the foot of Isbel Shrik, or the Prince's Mount. a lofty branch of Lebanon, forming in that direction the boundary between Palestine and Syria Proper, stands a city origi nally called Banias, which has erroneously been considered by many to be the Laish captured by the Danites, and by them called Dan (Judg. xviii :7-29). But it appears from the testimony of both Eusebius and Jerome that they were then separate and distinct cities, situated at the dis tance of four miles from each other. This city, which was in later times much enlarged and beau tified by Philip the tetrarch, who called it Caesarea in honor of Tiberius the emperor, adding the cognomen of Philippi to distinguish it from Caesarea of Palestine, lay about 120 miles north from Jerusalem and a day and a halls journey from Damascus (Matt. Nei :13 ; Mark viii :27). Herod Agrippa also bestowed upon it a consider able share of attention, still further extending and embellishing it. In compliment to the em peror, Nero, its name was afterwards changed to Neronias, and Titus, after the overthrow of Jeru salem, exhibited some public games here, in which the Jewish prisoners were compelled to fight like gladiators, and numbers perished in the inhuman contests. Under the Christians it was erected into
a bishopric of Phcrnicia. During the Crusades it was the scene of various changes and conflicts. It first came into the possession of the Christians in 1129, alqng with the fortress on the adjacent mountain, being delivered over to them by its Israelite governor, after their unsuccessful at tempt upon Damascus in behalf of that sect. It has now resumed its original name of Banias, which is the Arabic pronunciation of the Paneas of the Greeks and Romans.
Midas has now dwindled into a paltry and in significant village, whose mean and destitute condition contrasts strikingly with the rich and luxuriant character of the surrounding country. It is said that many remains of ancient architec ture are found in the neighborhood, bearing tes timony to the former grandeur of the place, al though it is difficult to trace the site of the splen did temple erected here in honor of Augustus. The ruins of the castle of Innias. which appears to have been a work of the Saracens, crown the summit of the adjoining mountain, and display a wall to feet in thickness, by which the fortress was defended.