DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10357#0358
324
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
are mentioned, and also the plains and marshes about the Sea of Galilee and Lake Huleh (see
page 340), where the king used to resort for this purpose. In his busy life, and occupied as he
was with building, carrying on wars, overcoming intrigues, and pacifying the arbitrary powers at
Rome, one would not suppose he would have much time left for hunting. But his expeditions
of this kind are frequently mentioned, and there seems to have been a special stable where his
hunting-horses were kept, and also his hunting-spears and other outfit; and besides, there was
one man who held the office of " the king's chief hunter " ("Antiquities," xvi. 10, 3).
The old mill at 'Am et Tabighah will attract attention, partly because its walls and arches
are somewhat dilapidated, but chiefly because they are covered with grass and vines, which, with
the water trickling over the sides and clashing over the stones, give the whole a beautiful and
romantic appearance (see page 317).
From 'Ain et Tabighah to Tell Hum (see pages 320 and 321) the distance is about forty
minutes, and the path is a difficult one because of the stony nature of the ground, as already
indicated. Tell Hum itself is so thickly overgrown with thistles and weeds of every kind, that
at certain seasons it is almost impossible to get about. Among the ruins the absence of blocks
of stone will be noticed, and instead, the extensive use of boulders in all the common houses.
In fact, the ruins, as such, are of a very inferior kind. With the exception of what is thought
to have been a synagogue, including a large building which at some time enclosed it, Tell Hum
has no ruins that would be worth visiting. The remains of this synagogue have been referred
to as an evidence that Tell Hum represents the site of Capernaum of the New Testament; but
the preservation of these ruins is such as to justify the conclusion that they date from the second
to the fourth century of our era, rather than from the time of Christ. Besides, Tell Hum is
two and a half or more miles from the point where the Roman road touched the lake, and
hence would be a most unlikely place for a custom-house. It has no remains of a road or of
a castle, and the unimportant character of the ruins has just been noticed. If Capernaum was
here, it could have no possible connection with the plain of Gennesaret, which, we infer from
the Gospels, should be the case. The place possesses no harbour, and in fact hardly a landing-
place for a boat. This would be quite true in a storm, or at any time if the sea were very rough.
At some point near here, on the shore, an interesting event in Josephus's life took place,
and we refer to it because in that connection mention is made by him of Capernaum. His
troops attacked the Roman forces under Sylla, and were gaining an advantage over them,
when the horse which Josephus rode fell into a quagmire, throwing him to the ground and
dislocating his wrist. He was carried into the village of Capernaum and attended by his
physicians; but a fever set in, and during the night he was taken, probably by boat,
to Tarichsea (Kerak), at the other end of the lake. These bogs abound even in this rocky
soil, and at certain seasons those on horseback must be constantly on their guard if they would
avoid accidents.
The view from this rough shore is a charming one. To the east is the plain of Batiheh,
corresponding in general appearance to the plain of Gennesaret on the west. Farther to
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
are mentioned, and also the plains and marshes about the Sea of Galilee and Lake Huleh (see
page 340), where the king used to resort for this purpose. In his busy life, and occupied as he
was with building, carrying on wars, overcoming intrigues, and pacifying the arbitrary powers at
Rome, one would not suppose he would have much time left for hunting. But his expeditions
of this kind are frequently mentioned, and there seems to have been a special stable where his
hunting-horses were kept, and also his hunting-spears and other outfit; and besides, there was
one man who held the office of " the king's chief hunter " ("Antiquities," xvi. 10, 3).
The old mill at 'Am et Tabighah will attract attention, partly because its walls and arches
are somewhat dilapidated, but chiefly because they are covered with grass and vines, which, with
the water trickling over the sides and clashing over the stones, give the whole a beautiful and
romantic appearance (see page 317).
From 'Ain et Tabighah to Tell Hum (see pages 320 and 321) the distance is about forty
minutes, and the path is a difficult one because of the stony nature of the ground, as already
indicated. Tell Hum itself is so thickly overgrown with thistles and weeds of every kind, that
at certain seasons it is almost impossible to get about. Among the ruins the absence of blocks
of stone will be noticed, and instead, the extensive use of boulders in all the common houses.
In fact, the ruins, as such, are of a very inferior kind. With the exception of what is thought
to have been a synagogue, including a large building which at some time enclosed it, Tell Hum
has no ruins that would be worth visiting. The remains of this synagogue have been referred
to as an evidence that Tell Hum represents the site of Capernaum of the New Testament; but
the preservation of these ruins is such as to justify the conclusion that they date from the second
to the fourth century of our era, rather than from the time of Christ. Besides, Tell Hum is
two and a half or more miles from the point where the Roman road touched the lake, and
hence would be a most unlikely place for a custom-house. It has no remains of a road or of
a castle, and the unimportant character of the ruins has just been noticed. If Capernaum was
here, it could have no possible connection with the plain of Gennesaret, which, we infer from
the Gospels, should be the case. The place possesses no harbour, and in fact hardly a landing-
place for a boat. This would be quite true in a storm, or at any time if the sea were very rough.
At some point near here, on the shore, an interesting event in Josephus's life took place,
and we refer to it because in that connection mention is made by him of Capernaum. His
troops attacked the Roman forces under Sylla, and were gaining an advantage over them,
when the horse which Josephus rode fell into a quagmire, throwing him to the ground and
dislocating his wrist. He was carried into the village of Capernaum and attended by his
physicians; but a fever set in, and during the night he was taken, probably by boat,
to Tarichsea (Kerak), at the other end of the lake. These bogs abound even in this rocky
soil, and at certain seasons those on horseback must be constantly on their guard if they would
avoid accidents.
The view from this rough shore is a charming one. To the east is the plain of Batiheh,
corresponding in general appearance to the plain of Gennesaret on the west. Farther to