The Greek side of Istanbul

Today’s Zaman has an interesting article about Greeks in Istanbul. The article discusses mainly a few Greek remains to be seen in the city and some information about remaining Greek Orthodox churches.The article is interesting because of the historical developments and conflicts between Greek and Turks. The note about the Serpentine Column caught my attention.

Being approximately 2,500 years old, the Serpentine Column is said to be İstanbul’s oldest remaining Greek monument. Erected to honor the triumph of the Greeks over the Persians at Plataea, it originally stood at Delphi (both ancient cities on Greek ground) and was moved to İstanbul in 324 B.C. by Constantine the Great to mark the declaration of the new capital city of the then-founded Roman Empire under the name of Constantinople. The originally eight-meter-high piece was made up of three intertwined serpents which supported a golden bowl. The bowl is believed to have been lost or stolen when the city was sacked during the Fourth Crusade. Some say the heads were hit and cut off by a drunken nobleman in the 17th century but one of them can still be seen in the İstanbul Archaeology Museum. The rest of the column can be found today at the Hippodrome in the Sultanahmet quarter.

There is a serious mistake in the article. The Serpentine Column was originally erected at Delphi in 479 B.C., but it was placed in the hippodrome of Constantinople by Constantine in 324 A.D.

Here is a photo of the bronze Serpentine Column as it stands in the hippodrome.

Bronze Serpentine Column in Istanbul. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A sign marking the Serpentine Column indicates that the column was erected in the 4th century A.D. That is the date when Constantine had it erected in the hippodrome, but the column dates to the 5th century B.C.

Read the full  Today’s Zaman article here.

HT: Biblical Paths.

Miniature carving of Alexander the Great

Israel National News reports the discover of a rare miniature carving of Alexander the Great. The article by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz says,

Excavations in Tel Dor have turned up a rare and unexpected work of Hellenistic art: a precious stone bearing the miniature carved likeness of Alexander the Great. Archaeologists are calling it an important find, indicating the great skill of the artist.

The Tel Dor dig, under the guidance and direction of Dr. Ayelet Gilboa of Haifa University and Dr. Ilan Sharon of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, has just ended its summer excavation season. For more than 30 years, scientists have been excavating in Tel Dor, identified as the site of the Biblical town of Dor. The town’s location, on Israel’s Mediterranean Sea coast some 30 kilometers south of Haifa, made it an important international port in ancient times.

“Despite the tiny proportions – the length of the gemstone (gemma) is less than a centimeter and its width less than half a centimeter – the artist was able to carve the image of Alexander of Macedon with all of his features,” Dr. Gilboa said. “The king appears as young and energetic, with a sharp chin and straight nose, and with long, curly hair held in a crown.”

According to the archaeologists involved in the Tel Dor excavations, the discovery of the miniature Alexander gemstone carving in Israel is fairly surprising. The Land of Israel was not, for the Greek Empire, a central or major holding.

The article concludes,

Historically, Alexander himself passed through Dor in 332 BCE, during his voyage to Egypt. It appears that the city fell to him without resistance. Since that time until its conquest by the Hasmonean Jewish King Alexander Yannai around 100 BCE, Dor served as a stronghold of non-Jewish Hellenists in the Land of Israel.

The full article may be read here.

Carving of Alexander from Tel Dor.

Dor is mentioned in several Old Testament references including Joshua 17:10-11.

HT: Joseph I. Lauer

Thessalonica on the Aegean

Thessalonica was located on the east-west Egnatian Way. The city was also located on the Bay of Thessalonica on the Aegean Sea. According to the records we have in the Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles, Paul never used the sea port at Thessalonica.

The waterfront of Thessalonica with the White Tower. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The tower, called the White Tower, was built in the 15th century by the Venetians or the Turks. It is probably the best known landmark of the city today.

Persecution of Christians in Thessalonica

Earlier we posted information about the Arch of Galerius. Galerius was the Roman Emperor from 305 to 311 A.D. The arch was erected in Thessalonica to commemorate his victory over the Persians in 297 A.D. The reliefs on the arch are about this victory.

The most interesting portion of the relief to me is the one showing Galerius offering a sacrifice. The relief has been somewhat defaced, but it appears to me that he is pouring a libation on the altar. To the left, as we view the scene, is the Emperor Diocletian, the father in law of Galerius. The lady on the right is the wife of Galerius, daughter of Diocletian. Note the animal, awaiting his turn to be offered on a larger altar. The altar scene reminds us of the Emperor worship which was prevalent from the close of the first century onward.

Sacrifice scene on the Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Diocletian is noted for his decree in 303 A.D. that ordered the burning of all Bibles and church records. This is one reason we have so few manuscripts before the fourth century A.D. Some credit Galerius as the brain back of this decision. He was responsible for considerable persecution of Christians during his reign. This persecution would be that spoken of in the Book of Revelation that we associate with Emperor worship.

The Danish archaeologist Dyggve excavated a Palace, Hippodrome, and Mausoleum belonging to Galerius. He also was able to show that the Arch was part of the complex of buildings (Blue Guide Greece).

The Via Egnatia in Thessalonica

The Egnatian Way was one of the famous Roman roads used by the Apostle Paul in his travels to preach the gospel of Christ (Acts 16-17). F. F. Bruce gives a little history about the ancient road.

When Macedonia became a Roman province in 148 b.c., the Via Egnatia was constructed, running east from Dyrrhachium (modern Durres) and Apollonia (modern Poyani) on the Adriatic to Thessalonica, from which existing roads ran to the main Greek cities. The Via Egnatia was later extended farther to Neapolis (modern Kavalla), the port of Philippi, and later still to Byzantium on the Bosporus. When the Roman province of Asia was formed in 133 b.c., the Via Egnatia (with a short sea-crossing at either end) provided easy communication between Rome and the new province. (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6:649).

Very few remains from the first century have been exposed in Thessaloniki. Remember that the second largest city of Greece is built over the ancient city. One of the important streets running through the city is named Odos Egnatia (the Egnatian Way). The small street signs in Thessaloniki are located on building rather than on the corner of the street. This makes it difficult for a stranger to drive and read the street signs.

Street marker in Thessaloniki. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Via Egnatia runs beside the monumental Arch of Galerius. This arch was built in A.D. 304 to commemorate the emperor’s victory over the Persians in A.D. 297 (Reddish & Fant 136).

Arch of Galerius (early 4th century A.D.). Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Paul visited Thessalonica during his second journey

Paul came to Thessalonica on his second journey (A.D. 50-53; Acts 17). Paul describes the reception the Thessalonians gave to the gospel in these words:

For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 NAU)

The church of the Thessalonians had many questions about the second coming of Christ. Paul addressed these questions in the two letters he wrote to the church from Corinth.

We know little of individuals associated with the church. Jason seems to be one of the earliest converts in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9). Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica accompanied Paul on the voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2). He was one of the messengers who went with Paul on the return from the third journey (Acts 20:4). When Demas forsook Paul he went to Thessalonica (2 Timothy 4:10).

The photo below shows ruins of the Roman Forum in Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece. This area of the city was destroyed by a fire in 1917. During preparations for constructing new buildings these ruins were discovered. They date to the second and third century A.D. (See Fant and Reddish, A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey, 137). Perhaps there are older ruins below these. Notice how the modern city is built around the ancient ruins on a higher level. Can you imagine what might be underneath all of those buildings?

Roman Forum at Thessalonica. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Reaching 200,000 hits

Overnight we registered our 200,000th hit on this blog. Our first post was May 2, 2007. Since that time we have covered two trips to Israel, two trips to Turkey, a trip to Greece and the Greek islands, a trip to Egypt, and a trip to Scotland. In addition we have reported on numerous archaeological developments and posted info on many biblical places and customs.

Actually we passed the 200,000 mark more than a week ago. Back in May we reported here on losing 3380 hits on our counter overnight.

Thanks should be extended to several people.

• Thanks to WordPress for making this wonderful opportunity available at no cost. I would like to encourage everyone who thinks they have something worthwhile to say to get a blog and begin writing.
• Thanks to our readers. The number has grown consistently in the past two years. We are delighted that you continue to check our blog. It has been fun to watch the increase of the traffic ranking at Alexa.
• Thanks to everyone who has sent tips about items of interest that you think we should cover. Most of these come from acquaintances by email rather than as comments to the blog.
• Thanks to Todd Bolen at blog.bibleplaces.com and BiblePlaces.com for his link to our page. Todd has called attention to this page several times and it has helped to increase the number of our readers.
• Thanks to my wife for proofing many of the posts. I always appreciate her help.
• Technological thanks to Nikon, Canon, and Adobe PhotoShop.

I would like to share a photo that is large enough to be of use to those who use visuals in teaching. This is a picture of St. Paul’s Bay on the island of Rhodes. Click on the photo for a larger image. For information about the place check our post for May 17, 2008.

St. Paul's Bay at Lindos, Rhodes. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Did Paul visit Samos?

Samos is a mountainous island in the SE part of the Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor. It is 27 miles long (E-W) and about 14 miles wide. The island is separated from the mainland by a strait of one mile.

The port of Samos on the island of Samos. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Paul and his companions stopped at, or passed near, Samos on the return from his third journey.

Sailing from there [Mitylene], we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus. (Act 20:15 NAU)

English versions do not make it clear whether Paul stopped at Samos or came within sight of the island. These comments by Floyd Filson might be helpful.

Paul’s ship…either ‘touched at’ and anchored overnight at Samos (so RSV, though this is an unusual meaning for parebalomen) or ‘came near’ to Samos and passed by it on the E or the W to anchor for the night at Trogyllium. (Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. IV:197)

Here is a view of the eastern end of Samos as a ship passes through the most narrow part of the strait between the island and the Turkish mainland.

Samos from a ship in the strait between island & mainland. Photo: F. Jenkins.

Paul may not have visited Samos, but it is clear that he came very close.

Sunset on the Aegean

This photo was made from one of the resort hotels overlooking the Aegean Sea at Kusadasi, Turkey, near the ancient city of Ephesus.

Sunset on the Aegean near Ephesus. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Aegean is not mentioned by name in the New Testament, but it plays a prominent role in the journeys of the Apostle Paul. Perhaps in a few days I will pull together some of this information and share it with you.

Apollos, the eloquent man of Alexandria, learned the way of the way of God more accurately at Ephesus. When he heard of the work in Achaia (Corinth) he wanted to go there. He likely sailed west from Ephesus to Cenchrea, a port of Corinth.

But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (Act 18:26-28 NAU)

Paul, Silas, and Timothy pass through Amphipolis

Amphipolis was situated about 30 miles west of Philippi on the Via Egnatia. Luke remained at Philippi while Paul, Silas and Timothy continued to Thessalonica. There is no indication of any preaching done in Amphipolis and Appollonia. In fact, the reference to the city barely attracts notice.

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (Act 17:1 ESV)

The River Strymon runs past Amphipolis and continues for about 3 1/2 miles south where it flows into the Aegean Sea. The photo of the River Strymon below was made in the late afternoon against the sun, but I like the effect.

The River Strymon at Amphipolis. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

K. L. McKay, in an article in The New Bible Dictionary, describes the city briefly:

Prized by the Athenians and Macedonians as the key both to the gold, silver and timber of Mt Pangaeus and also to the control of the Dardanelles, it became under the Romans a free town and the capital of the first district of Macedonia. Amphipolis is about 50 km WSW of Philippi on the Via Egnatia, a great Roman highway, and Paul passed through it on his way to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).

The city is somewhat difficult to reach and there is little is to be seen.

Amphipolis Archaeological Site. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.