Antipatris

C9 on the Map.

(Pegai): Ras el-`Ain. Former Aphek, called in Greek `Pegai' (springs).Aphek was an important station on the ancient Via Maris, and was mentioned in the list of Pharaoh Thutmosis III. It was here that Joshua had expelled the king of Aphek, a ruler of Canaan (Josh 12:18). This is also the place with the Philistines had gathered a great army to battle against Israel (1 Sam 4:1; Ezra 4:6-9). During the Hellenistic period a fort was built at this location. In 132 B.C. John Hyrcanus I conquered it, the name at that time was Arethusa which implied rich sources of water.

When Herod the Great ascended to power he renamed it Antipatris, after his father Antipater. This new city became the center of a district of many prosperous cities. Paul spent the night here when he was sent under escort from Jerusalem to Caesarea (Acts 23:31).

The site is identified with Tell Ras el-Ain, which is very rich in springs and vegetation. There is a Turkish citadel on the mound today built on the remains of a Crusader castle. It has been extensively excavated.

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