Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Amphipolis was an ancient city located in the region of Macedonia, strategically situated on the eastern bank of the Strymon River, near the Aegean Sea. It played a significant role in the history of the early Christian church, particularly in the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.Biblical Reference: Amphipolis is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Paul's second missionary journey. In Acts 17:1 , it is recorded: "When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue." This brief mention indicates that Paul, along with Silas, traveled through Amphipolis on their way to Thessalonica, a major city where they would later preach the Gospel and establish a church. Historical and Geographical Context: Amphipolis was founded by the Athenians in 437 BC and later became a significant city under Roman rule. Its location was of strategic importance due to its proximity to the Via Egnatia, a major Roman road that facilitated travel and trade across the region. This road was crucial for the spread of Christianity, as it allowed missionaries like Paul to travel efficiently between key cities. The city was known for its rich resources, including gold and silver mines, and its fertile land, which contributed to its prosperity. Amphipolis also served as a military and administrative center, further enhancing its significance in the region. Cultural and Religious Significance: During the time of Paul's visit, Amphipolis was a melting pot of cultures and religions, typical of many cities in the Roman Empire. The presence of various religious practices and philosophical schools would have provided both challenges and opportunities for the spread of the Christian message. Although the Bible does not record any specific events or interactions in Amphipolis, the city's mention highlights its role as a waypoint in the broader mission to evangelize the Gentile world. Archaeological Insights: Modern archaeological excavations have uncovered significant remains of Amphipolis, including city walls, a gymnasium, and a theater, which provide insights into the daily life and culture of its inhabitants. These findings help to contextualize the environment in which early Christians, like Paul and his companions, would have traveled and preached. Legacy: While Amphipolis itself is not the site of any recorded Christian community in the New Testament, its mention in Acts underscores the expansive reach of Paul's missionary efforts. The city's inclusion in the biblical narrative serves as a testament to the widespread and dynamic nature of early Christian evangelism, as the Gospel message moved through diverse and influential urban centers of the ancient world. Smith's Bible Dictionary Amphipolis(a city surrounded by the sea), a city of Macedonia, through which Paul and Silas passed on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) It was distant 33 Roman miles from Philippi, to the southwest, and about three miles from the sea. Its site is now occupied by a village called Neokhorio ; in Turkish Jeni-Keni , or "New Town." ATS Bible Dictionary AmphipolisA city of Macedonia, situated not far from the mouth of the river Strymon, which flowed "around the city," and thus occasioned its name. The village which now stands upon the site of the ancient city is called Empoli of Yamboli, a corruption of Amphipolis. It was visited by Paul and Silas, Acts 17:1. Easton's Bible Dictionary City on both sides, a Macedonian city, a great Roman military station, through which Paul and Silas passed on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica, a distance of 33 Roman miles from Philippi (Acts 17:1). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia AMPHIPOLISam-fip'-o-lis (Amphipolis): A town in Macedonia, situated on the eastern bank of the Strymon (modern Struma or Karasu) some three miles from its mouth, near the point where it flows out of Lake Prasias or Cercinitis. It lay on a terraced hill, protected on the North, West and South by the river, on the East by a wall (Thuc. iv.102), while its harbor-town of Eion lay on the coast close to the river's mouth. The name is derived either from its being nearly surrounded by the stream or from its being conspicuous on every side, a fact to which Thucydides draws attention (in the place cited). It was at first called Ennea Hodoi, Nine Ways, a name which suggests its importance both strategically and commercially. It guarded the main route from Thrace into Macedonia and later became an important station on the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road from Dyrrhachium on the Adriatic to the Hebrus (Maritza), and it was the center of a fertile district producing wine, oil, figs and timber in abundance and enriched by gold and silver mines and considerable manufactures, especially of woolen stuffs. In 497 B.C. Aristagoras, ex-despot of Miletus, tried to settle there, and a second vain attempt was made in 465-464 by the Athenians, who succeeded in founding a colony there in 437 under the leadership of Hagnon. The population, however, was too mixed to allow of strong Athenian sympathies, and in 424 the town fell away to the Spartan leader Brasidas and defied all the subsequent attempts of the Athenians to recover it. It passed under the protectorate of Perdiccas and Philip of Macedon, and the latter finally made himself master of it in 358. On the Roman partition of Macedonia after the battle of Pydna (168 B.C.) Amphipolis was made a free city and capital of Macedonia Prima. Paul and Silas passed through it on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica, but the narrative seems to preclude a long stay (Acts 17:1). The place was called Popolia in the Middle Ages, while in modern times the village of Neochori (Turkish, Yenikeui) marks the site (Leake, Northern Greece, III, 181, Cousinery, Macedoine, I, 100, 122; Heuzey et Daumet, Mission archeol. de Macedoine, 165). Greek 295. Amphipolis -- Amphipolis, a city in Macedonia ... 294, 295. Amphipolis. 296 . Amphipolis, a city in Macedonia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Amphipolis Phonetic ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/295.htm - 6k Library Acts XVII Letter xiv. To Gregory his Friend. Second Missionary Journey Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea. The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3 Thessalonica and Berea Ep. Iv. Christian Worship. Paul and Silas in Macedonia Thesaurus Amphipolis (1 Occurrence)...AMPHIPOLIS. ... On the Roman partition of Macedonia after the battle of Pydna (168 BC) Amphipolis was made a free city and capital of Macedonia Prima. ... /a/amphipolis.htm - 9k Apollonia (1 Occurrence) Amphip'olis (1 Occurrence) Macedonia (23 Occurrences) Amoz (14 Occurrences) Philippi (8 Occurrences) Thessalonica (8 Occurrences) Journeyed (111 Occurrences) Traveled (104 Occurrences) Tiphsah (2 Occurrences) Resources What happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Amphipolis (1 Occurrence)Acts 17:1 Subtopics Amphipolis: A City of Macedonia Related Terms |
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