The map shows, to the southeast, the most famous Greek theater, the Theatre of Dionysus, the site of which was in use until late Roman times from the 6th century B.C., when it was used as an orchestra. From Berea, Paul went to Athens. Thats why Luke uses a unique term, politarch (Strongs 4173), when he writes about the city authorities (Acts 17:6-8), or rulers of the city (KJV). It was the terminus of another major road from the Danube in the north. Enable JavaScript to see Google Maps. Pisistratus and sons used the Acropolis as their citadel. "Historical Maps." 30 Maps of Ancient Greece Show How a Country Became an Empire. It was important, not only as a harbor with a large import and export trade, but also as the principal station on the great Via Egnatia, the highway from the Adriatic to the Hellespont.3. Paul disembarked at Neapolis, a port about 10 miles to the southeast of Philippi. Part of Apostle Paul's path between Philippi and Berea lay across the neck of this peninsula. Later, it became Anatolia, Turkey. This soon drew a crowd of listeners about them. Acts 17:32, 33. Who were two of the exceptions named? Athens, Corinth Now after these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth (Acts 18:1). Acts 17:2231. Howatson, M. C. "The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature." This reference map of ancient Greece includes the southernpart of the empire. So why did Paul travel 40 miles from Thessalonica to Berea? Copyright 2013 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. is shown in this map. This map shows how the Macedonian Empire expanded throughout the region. If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Berea and Athens is 324.65 km. The city also sat midway along the Via Egnatia. University of Texas Perry-Castaeda Library Map Collection/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. Syracuse was on the southeastern cape and the southern part of the east coast of Sicily. Made capital of the Roman province of Macedon, the city flourished due to its location on the major trade route to the east and continued to thrive as one of the most important cities in the Byzantine Empire. In the meantime, Id love to hear your comments! Mosaic showing Paul preaching at Berea (Acts 17:11) User:Megistias/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. 2019 Bible Study Mentor - All rights reserved. But though himself prevented from continuing his work at Thessalonica, he sent Timothy from Athens to visit the church and confirm the faith of the Christians amid their hardships and persecutions (1 Thessalonians 3:2-10). But after a short time in Athens, Paul felt the need to receive a report from the newborn church in Thessalonica, so he sent Timothy back to serve and minister to the new believers there. Thessalonica Paul preached here during his second missionary journey. As a crossroads, it certainly was a key in the spread of the gospel. Paul and Silas preached to them during Paul's second missionary journey. Acts 17:1012. In the next few months several of you are going to be presenting lessons that do not do this frequently. Cicero spent the greater part of his exile there, at the house of the quaestor Plancius (Pro Plancio 41, 99; Epistle Ad Att, iii.8-21). ~ 1eg&8W8w3dJ]q(7+_zm'` Q.6TmTd($P'ce=) Yt:rE>8,6uQa@pH fb>>>dxuI&E:YjC8 Q=U "30 Maps of Ancient Greece Show How a Country Became an Empire." Iconium And after shaking the dust off their feet against them, they came to Iconium (Acts 13:51). During the Peloponnesian War, it supported Sparta against Athens. The Bereans listened to Paul's teaching and carefully examined Scripture to determine if his teaching was true. Mt. But he carefully drew their minds away from heathen deities, by revealing to them the true God, whom they were endeavoring to worship, but Who was to them unknown, as they themselves confessed by a public inscription. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 97. Spain Whenever I may go to Spain, I will come to you because I hope to see you while passing through Rome . u1e #! O:4]2uG:K u Thessalonica was a large, major city; Berea, so far as we can tell, was a small, "sleepy town," an "out of the way place" (see footnote 12 on Berea). It was 30 miles from Philippi to Thessalonica. (berea), Vergna, Kalambaka Today we'll follow the footsteps of Paul in Thessalonki, named after Thessalonica, the sister of Alexander the Great. Map of Macedonia, Dacia, Thrace, and Moesia, The Path of Alexander the Great in Europe, Asia, and Africa, Thebes on Map of Greece in the Peloponnesian War. It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short distance to the East of the mouth of the Axius (Vardar). Here we find a large number of resident Jews and a synagogue. A passage in Thucydides (i.61) relating to the year 432 B.C. Antipatris The city through which Roman soldiers brought the Apostle Paul, as prisoner, on their way to Caesarea (Acts 23:13). He was in a position where he might easily have spoken that which would irritate his proud listeners, and bring himself into difficulty. It was a small city with no particular political, military, or economic importance. These troublemakers stirred up the crowds against Paul, just as had been done before in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:45, 50), Iconium (Acts 14:2, 5), and Lystra (Acts 14:19) on the first missionary journey, and in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-8) on the second missionary journey. Paul and Silas came to Berea from Thessalonica which they had been forced by an uproar to leave, and preached in the synagogue to the Jews, many of whom believed after a candid examination of the apostolic message in the light of their Scriptures (Acts 17:10, 11). Study not the philosophy of mans conjectures, but study the philosophy of Him Who is truth. Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens Bible Background Acts 17:1-32 Printed Text Acts 17:1-4, 10-12, 22-25, 28 Devotional Reading PSALM 47 Aim for Change By the end of the lesson, we will: LEARN that, although Paul and Silas's message was accepted by some but In 1185, when the famous scholar Eustathius was bishop, the Normans under Tancred stormed the city, and once more a general massacre took place. Assos, Mitylene, Miletus, Samos, TrogylliumCities briefly stopped in during the latter part of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:14 - 15). 4 Explain the caution of Paul while addressing the Athenian idolaters. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. In this post well consider the geography of Acts 17, focusing on a major Roman highway. Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece, after Athens, the Greek capital, located in Northern Greece, central Macedonia. It's in the east, by the Hellespont. Launch map view. Gill, N.S. The Delian Confederacy, the allies of Athens, are spread around the borders of the Aegean Sea. by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. Berea was a place of momentary refuge, an accidental stop along Paul's missionary journey. Bible stories for children . Note: Those who preach unpopular truth in our day meet with determined resistance, as did the apostles. Now known as the modern Avlida, the Greeks often got together in this area to set sail to Troy and bring back Helen. Thebes was the main city in the area of Greece called Boeotia. Study Help: The Acts of the Apostles, 228242. It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short distance to the East of the mouth of the Axius (Vardar). The map shows the boundaries of districts in Roman times. Ancient Aegean civilizations include the European Bronze Age time period. and ended with the Greek Dark Age. Acts 17:13. Athens to Corinth Corinth to Cenchrea Cenchrea to Ephesus Ephesus to Caesarea Caesarea to Jerusalem Jerusalem to Antioch in Syria Approximate Distance Traveled 140 100 30 30 85 200+ 200+ 70 70 10 30 35 40 50 20 250 50 8 250 650+ 65 320+ 2,703 Approximate Miles The prehistoric wall around the Acropolis of Athens followed the contours of the rock and was referred to as the Pelargikon. THESSALONICA. The Diadochi were important rival successors of Alexander the Great, his Macedonian friends and generals. The Acropolis was known as a strong example of architecture due to its structure, but it was ultimately destroyed in an earthquake. Some were prepared to ridicule the apostle as one far beneath them, socially and intellectually. There were also thousands of Greek islands in the Aegean sea, and colonies on the eastern side of the Aegean. Berea, which was one of the most populous cities of Macedonia early became a bishopric under the metropolitan of Thessalonica and was itself made a metropolis by Andronicus II (1283-1328): there is a tradition that the first bishop of the church was Onesimus. Humbled by the Centuries Leaving Berea in haste, Paul traveled by sea to Athens ( Acts 17:14-15 ), again just one step ahead of the envious and angry Jews of Thessalonica. The Macedonian Empire of 336-323 B.C. Driving distance between berea and athens, Greece is calculated by google maps and it is 99 mi. Even so, Paul seems not to have been greatly impressed by either Athenian intellectualism or the citys architecture, for he was grieved by the idolatry he saw (Concise Bible Atlas, p. 231). Why could his time in that city be considered a success? 5 What is to be our safeguard in todays era when paganism is so rampant? Antioch (Pisidia)He evangelizes in the city during his first, second and third missionary journeys. Built by the Athenians in honor of the emperor Hadrian in AD 135, this marble gate was on a street leading from the ancient city to the new Roman one. The most significant city mentioned in Acts 17 is Thessalonica, which may surprise you. Olympus (9,754 ft. high) and 5 ms. e. of the Bermian Mts. The city of Thessalonica was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon. And thats why the Concise Bible Atlas states that Bereas significance in Lukes narrative lies in its secluded nature (p. 230). Flights from Thessaloniki to London via Athens, Toronto Ave. Berea Paul, Silas, and Timothy found noble souls to teach during Paul's second missionary journey. On average, I publish three to four new articles a month. This ancient Greek city was on the coast of Ionia, close to present-day Turkey. Coincidentally, perhaps, Rhea was associated with the Phrygian goddess Cybele, who also had a Mt. ), the Romans divided the conquered territory into four districts, it became the capital of the second of these (Livy xlv.29), while later, after the organization of the single Roman province of Macedonia in 146 B.C., it was the seat of the governor and thus practically the capital of the whole province. Silas? It must be given as food only that which will strengthen the religious experience. The Review and Herald, November 10, 1904. His mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him in Athens. The map includes the principle cities of Italy like Neapolis and Rome. Those who will not themselves accept the truth are most zealous that others shall not receive it; and those are not wanting who perseveringly manufacture falsehoods, and stir up the base passions of the people to make the truth of God of none effect. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 86. To the west, the Greeks established colonies in and near Italy. In 253 the Goths had made a vain attempt to capture the city, and again in 479 Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, found it so strong and well prepared that he did not venture to attack it. Timothy returned to Thessalonica while Silas returned to Philippi. This desire was to be fulfilled more than once. The Thessalonian Church:The Thessalonian church was a strong and flourishing one, composed of Gentiles rather than of Jews, if we may judge from the tone of the two Epistles addressed to its members, the absence of quotations from and allusions to the Old Testament, and the phrase "Ye turned unto God from idols" (1 Thessalonians 1:9; compare also 2:14). Cenchrea, Ephesus And after Paul had remained there many days, he took leave of the brethren and sailed away to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Thebes doesn't appear in the lists of Greek ships and cities sending troops to Troy. It distinguishes the Bible reader and believer, who has been receiving the precious treasures of truth, from the skeptic and the believer in pagan philosophy. As he saw the magnificence of the city, with its costly devices, he realized its seductive power over the minds of the lovers of art and science. N.S. 1. Bible Study Guides Souls Are Crying for Truth, Editorial The Wheat, the Tares and Uncertain Voices, The Cost of Revival and Reformation A Response to Concerns and Objections. Seleucus Nicator gave it the name Berea. Upon leaving Thessalonica under duress, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled to Athens by way of Berea. Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. The Black Sea is to the east of most of Greece. This map shows Troy and the surrounding area. He was not traveling for the purpose of sight-seeing, nor to gratify a morbid desire for new and strange scenes. I want that for every Christian! He had been at Philippi, and traveled thence by the Egnatian Road, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia on the way (Acts 17:1). The journey from Thessalonica to Berea would have taken two days on foot. On this map of ancient Greece, Ephesus is a city on the east side of the Aegean Sea. The charge against Paul is that of trying to replace Caesar by another king; the rioters wish to bring him before "the people," i.e. The mind must be constantly restrained and guarded. Caesarea, Ptolemais, Tyre Then we completed our voyage from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais. Thessalonica also served as the provincial capital, and as the home of the Roman proconsul. Gustav Droysen (1838 1908)/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. 10) and when, after the battle of Pydna (168 B.C. This map of the Persian Empire shows the direction of Xenophon and the 10,000. Acts 17:1721. Using a map of Paul's Second Missionary journey have students point to the last place Paul and his team shared the Good News (Philippi). Greek and Phoenician settlements in the Mediterranean Basin are displayed in this map, about 550 B.C. Greek mythology says it was destroyed by the Epigoni before the Trojan War, but then it recovered by the 6th century B.C. Average amount of gas with an average car when travelling from berea to athens, Greece will be 7 gallons gallons which costs 10 $. Persecution followed them from city to city. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 88. The city Paul visits is clearly not the Athens of classical antiquity, but a city humbled by the centuries. BERE'A, a city of Macedonia, 45 ms. w. of Thessalonica and 22 ms. w. of the gulf of Salonica, the same distance n. of Mt. The Theban hegemony over Greece lasted from 371 when the Spartans were defeated at the Battle of Leuctra. That which is to the earthly mind a desolate wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams. The Signs of the Times, October 10, 1906. What accusation was brought against the apostles? This harbor offered easy access to the Aegean and the south. The major divisions were the sections taken by Ptolemy in Egypt, the Seleucids who acquired Asia, and the Antigonids who controlled Macedonia. Original: Map_greek_sanctuaries-en.svg by Marsyas, Derivative work: MinisterForBadTimes (talk)/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.5. This map shows the battle of Thermopylae. What principle did Jesus explain in this regard? After the Persian Wars, it was rebuilt to become a precinct sacred to Athena. This map of Macedonia includes Thrace, Dacia, and Moesia. What should we learn from the way some unbelieving Jews made trouble for the believers? Berea still exists as a small city of about 50,000 people, and is called Veroia today. After two days, a traitor led the Persians around the pass behind the Greek army. Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. The northern section of Greece is best-known for the polis of Athens, the Peloponnese, and for Sparta. Unfortunately, the non-believing Jews from Thessalonica arrived in Berea to stir up trouble, so Paul was sent off to sail to Athens by himself while Timothy and Silas stayed behind. In the Bronze Age, Athens and Sparta rose as powerful regional cultures. Whether Demas was a Thessalonian, as some have supposed, cannot be determined.5. Author: Marion Golsteijn. "30 Maps of Ancient Greece Show How a Country Became an Empire." Note: The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica, filled with jealousy and hatred of the apostles, and not content with having driven them from their labors among the Thessalonians, followed them to Berea, and again stirred up the excitable passions of the lower class to do them violence. In 362, Athens took over again. That is undoubtedly why Paul left the main road, traveling in a direction would-be pursuers would never guess. It was as a result of the devastation by the Persians of Athens that the great building projects were started under Pericles. Through the years I have developed a passion for Bible study that has made my life richer and my relationship with God stronger. Berea was a place of momentary refuge, an accidental stop along Pauls missionary journey. Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 407 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540-4647 Phone: 609-924-3642 Designed by Web 2.0 Promotions When Thebes revolted against Macedonian rule under Alexander the Great, the city was punished. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.10. The Thracians of the same group inhabited Thrace, a historical area in southeast Europe now consisting of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. Jorge Valenzuela A/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0.