Joppa (Jaffa)
- SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Joppa (subject)
Joppa (modern Jaffa, Israel) was a coastal town.
Overview
The ancient Canaanite city was governed, under Persian rule, by Phoenicians from Tyre. It later became a Seleucid port until it was taken over by the Maccabean rebels (1 Maccabees 10:76, 14:5) and the refounded Hasmonean kingdom.
After Pompey granted autonomy to all coastal towns, the restoration of Joppa to the Jews was one of the most valuable favors granted by Caesar.
According to Christian tradition (Acts of Apostles), Peter preached in Joppa, where he raised Tabitha from the dead and received a vision from heaven that he might go and visit the centurion Cornelius in Caesarea Maritima.
Joppa remained a predominantly Jewish town. During the Jewish War, the city was captured and burned by Cestius Gallus and its inhabitants massacred. Since pirates operated from the rebuilt port, Vespasian razed the city again and erected a citadel in its place, installing a Roman garrison there.
A fairly unimportant Byzantine locality, Joppa did not have a bishop until the fifth century CE.
The importance of Jaffa grew with the Arab conquest, without knowing decline.
Joppa in ancient sources
- See Joppa (sources)
Joppa in scholarship
Joppa in fiction
References
- Joppa / The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (1973-1987 Schurer / Vermes), book / 2 (1979) 110-114