At Caesare'a there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. (Acts 10:1-2)

Caesarea was the colossal building project of Herod the Great, built in 20 BC along the Mediterranean coastline. For nearly 600 years it was the official capital of what the Romans called "Provincia Judea". During the time of Jesus, Pontius Pilate ruled from this city in the name of Rome, residing in Jerusalem only during festivals.  Philip the deacon preached here (Acts 8:40).  Peter preached to Cornelius' household at Caesarea and baptized them (Acts 10).  Paul the Apostle visited here on his missionary journeys (Acts 18 & 21) and was imprisoned here and then sent by ship to Rome to be tried by the emperor (Acts 26).