V. Geography. — This has long been a vexed question, and is likely to remain so till excavating work is undertaken. The sites of Tiberias, Magdala, and Julias seem alone to be undisputed, so far as the Gospel history is concerned. The questions regarding the various sites will be treated each in its own place. The towns with which we are con- cerned were for the most part Jewish ; but there were also Greek cities (TroXets ' EW-r]vl5es) around the Lake. In Tiberias and Julias, built by the tetrarchs, in Gamala, Hippos, Gadara, Taricheaj, and in Philoteria (Polybius, v. 70), all trace of which has been lost, Greek influence would be paramount, though, of course, there was a Jewish element dwelling among the Gentile jjopulation {Rosh-Hash. ii. 1). These cities would have their own influence on the people of the surrounding •districts. It may seem strange that the Gospels never touch them, and that the fact of their exist- ence is no more than recorded, though they were large and important in comparison with the Jewish towns named. We feel justified in believing that Christ never entered these fashionable Greek cities. We know that the pious Jew specially abhorred Tiberias, and would not enter it, as it had been built on an ancient cemetery [Shebhiith ix. 1). We read, indeed, of a circuit through Decapolis (Mk 7^M ; but in view of Christ's relationship to the nearer towns, and His own statement (Mt 15"^), we are constrained to believe that He con- fined Himself to the country districts as occupied by the Jewish population. In harmony with this is His desire not to have His works proclaimed in these Greek towns (Mk 8^6).
Roads. — The Sea of Galilee was in no sense in the 1st cent, what it is now, something of the nature of a retired mountain lake. On the con- trary, it was kept in constant touch with the whole world. The western shore was one of the chief meeting-places of the world's highways. The Via Maris (the Way of the Sea, Mt 4^^), a well-known trade route, along which the wealth of the East passed westward, touched its north-eastern shore. Paved portions of it still remain. Details of the network of highways meeting in this region will be found in their oAvn place (see Roads) ; but we have to remark that the Jordan could be passed not only at the usual fords, but, during the spring nnd summer months, also by wading knee-deep along a kind of bar formed by pebbles and sand, where the river enters the Lalie (Mt 14l^ Mk 6^^). Further, it is to be noted that most if not all of these roads were available not only for mules and VOL. II. — 38
camels, as in modern times, but also for vehicles, for we learn that on account of their quantity the contributions Mere sent from Magdala, Cabul, and Sogane to Jerusalem in waggons (Taanith, iv. 5).
vi. Population. — We can now well understand the various classes of people who dwelt in and around this district. In the Greek towns the population would be chiefly Greek-speaking so- journers of mixed race — the Levantines of those days. The Roman soldiery would be there in con- siderable numbers as well as scattered through the towns, especially where customs were collected. There would be courtiers around the Herods in Tiberias and Julias—' Herodians,' as they were called ; and they were, for the most part, Saddu- cees. The publicans would have their head- quarters in the two capitals, but they would be employed everywhere, and would be specially active at the north end of the Lake, on the great trade routes. There, too, the Pharisees and probably also the Essenes [BJ 11. viii. 4) would be chiefly in evidence. It is the population at this north end that chiefly concerns us ; for amongst them the Lord dwelt, and there He had His own city (Mt 9^). The people here were essentially Jewish, but there was a world of diflerence from the Judaism of Judaea. Graetz (ii. 148, Eng. ed.) has well de- scribed this Allien he says : ' Morality was stricter in Galilee, and the laws and customs more rigidly enforced. The slightest infringement Mas not alloAved, and what the Judseans permitted them- selves the Galilseans would by no means consent to.' We might almost put it, Judsea had much of the semblance of piety, Galilee more of the reality. Indeed, their piety as Jews had already impressed even the heathen world (Lk 7^). The Talmuds tell us that the Galilsean loved honour more than wealth, and that the contrary was the case in Judaea (Jerus. Keth. iv. 14) ; that the marriages ■were simpler and more decently conducted [Keth. 12a, with which cf. Jn 2^-'^'^ ; Edersheim, Sketch of Jewish Social Life, p. 152 fl".), and also that the Avidow's right of occupancy of her husband's house Avas fully recognized (Mishna, Keth. iv. 12 and Jerus. Keth. iv. 14 ; cf. Mt 8^^). The Galilajans, too, were accused by their neighbours of being too talkative with Avomen ; and in this connexion the expression ni<h-hi naiD 'foolish Galilsean,' came into use (Erubin, 536 ; cf. Jn 4-"). Josephus also speaks well of the Galilaeans, commending their courage, and adding that they were inured to war from their infancy (BJ III. iii. 2). There is another remark in the Talmud regarding their character that is worth noting : vn pn^jp V?: 'cjx ' the men of Galilee ■were disputatious ' (Nedar. 48«). This has always been a characteristic of the Jew ; he has never been able to argue calmly ; and Avhen we add to this acknowledged characteristic of the people the circumstances of a fishing and boating life, we must admit the truth of the accusation ; and know- ing this, we can well understand that many of the scenes around the Lake were much noisier than the calm words of Scripture Avould lead us to suspect (Mt 9^-'•-^ Mk 3"^ Lk S^^ etc.); and we can appreciate the facility with Avhich Peter re- lapsed into what must have been an old habit (Mk 14^1). Then the inhabitants of the district would not be over cleanly in their habits. We can infer nothing from the neglect of hand-washing (nS'c: Dn«), for it is at best purely ceremonial ; but the Je-w generally was, in the 1st cent., the butt of the Gentile -world on account of his uncleanliness, just as he is to-day (Seneca, Ep. 5 ; Perseus, Sat. v.). Apart from the Greek towns, which, like Tiberias and Gamala, were supplied by aqueducts (portions of which still remain), the general M-ater supply was from the Lake ; and in consideration of the traffic that existed and the absence of f^anitary