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CHAP. XCIII. Iulias-Bethsaida. (Book 93)
THERE were two Julias's, both in Perea, one built by Herod, called before Be∣tharamphtha: of which Josephus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. a 1.1 At Betharamph∣tha, which before was the Cities name, Herod compassed Julias with a wall, calling it by the name of the Empress. The other built by Philip, heretofore called Beth-saida, of which the same Author writes thus; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. b 1.2 Philip having raised the Town Beth-saida on the lake of Gennesaret to the honour of a City, both in respect of the number of the inhabitants, and other strength, gave it the same name with Julia the Emperors daughter.
The Maps have one Julias only: not amiss, because they substitute the name of Beth∣saida for the other. But they do not well agree about the situation of both. Julias-Betharamphtha was seated at the very influx of Jordan into the lake of Genesaret. For thus Josephus, c 1.3 Jordan having measured an hundred furlongs more from the lake Samochoni∣tis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ after the City Julias, cuts the lake of Gennesar in the middle. Do not these words argue, that Jordan being now ready to enter into the lake did first glide by Julias? To which those things, which are said else∣where by the same Author, do agree. d 1.4 Sylla, saith he, encamped five furlongs from Ju∣lias, and stopped up the ways; namely, that which led to Cana, and that which led to the Castel Gamala. But I, when I understood this, sent two thousand armed men, under Jeremias their Captain; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And they having encamped a furlong from Julias near the river Jordan, &c. Note that, when they were distant from Julias a furlong only, they are but a little way off of Jor∣dan. The Maps place it more remote from the influx of Jordan into the lake of Gene∣saret, than these words will bear.
Julias-Beth-Saida, was not seated in Galilee, as it is in the Maps, but beyond the Sea of Galilee, in Perea. This we say upon the credit of Josephus. e 1.5 Philip, saith he, built Cesarea in Paneas, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Mark that, and Julias (which be∣fore time was Bethsaida) in nether Gaulonitis. But now, there is no body but knows, that Gaulonitis was in Perea. This certainly is that Julias, which f 1.6 Pliny placeth East∣ward of the lake of Genesaret, (for the other Julias was scarcely near the Sea at all:) and that Julias, of which Josephus speaks, when he saith, g 1.7 that a certain Mountanous Country beyond Jordan runs out from Julias to Somorrha.