Herod Antipas Builds Tiberias

Herod Antipas constructs the city of Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee around 20 CE, naming it after Emperor Tiberius to score political points. Problem: he builds it on top of an old cemetery, which makes it ritually unclean and most Jews refuse to live there — so he has to force people to move in. Archaeological excavations have uncovered the city gate, cardo, and bathhouse. This is the capital of Galilee during Jesus' entire ministry, just miles from where he's preaching.