Gallio Inscription (Delphi)
Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
Found 1905 — Émile Bourguet (École française d'Athènes); further fragments joined by Adolf Deissmann and André Plassart (1905–1910)
Where Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi, Greece (Greece)
Dates from 52 CE · Early Roman Imperial · Paul's second journey (Acts 18)
Now at Delphi Archaeological Museum, Greece
Names a biblical person Gallio, Claudius
How Gallio Inscription (Delphi) was found
Nine fragments of a Greek copy of a letter from Claudius were found during the French excavations of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and pieced together over several years.
What it is
Nine fragments of a limestone slab carrying a Greek copy of a letter from Emperor Claudius to the city of Delphi. The letter is dated by Claudius' 26th acclamation as imperator (early to mid 52 CE) and names 'Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend and proconsul' of Achaia.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 18:12 says the Jews of Corinth brought Shaul (Paul) before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia. Proconsuls normally served one year, so this letter places Gallio in Corinth around 51–52 CE. That makes Paul's eighteen-month stay in Corinth (Acts 18:11) the most securely dated event in his life, and scholars build the whole chronology of Acts and the letters around it.
The Hebrew word: bee-MAH
בֵּימָה
בֵּימָה is pronounced bee-MAH and means platform, judgment seat (from Greek bema, G968) (Strong's G968).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos, 'small')
- Gallio — גַּלִּיוֹ (gah-lee-OH) — Greek Gallion; Roman proconsul, brother of Seneca
Places
- Corinth — קוֹרִינְתּוֹס (ko-REEN-tos) — Greek Korinthos
Events
Paul brought before Gallio's judgment seat at Corinth · Paul's eighteen months in Corinth
Gallio Inscription (Delphi) in Scripture
Acts 18:12-13 Names Gallio as proconsul of Achaia when Paul was accused in Corinth; the inscription dates that moment to about 51–52 CE.
Acts 18:14 One of only 3 verses that name Gallio.
Acts 18:17 One of only 3 verses that name Gallio.
Questions people ask
What is Gallio Inscription (Delphi)?
Nine fragments of a limestone slab carrying a Greek copy of a letter from Emperor Claudius to the city of Delphi. The letter is dated by Claudius' 26th acclamation as imperator (early to mid 52 CE) and names 'Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend and proconsul' of Achaia.
When was Gallio Inscription (Delphi) discovered?
It was found in 1905 by Émile Bourguet (École française d'Athènes); further fragments joined by Adolf Deissmann and André Plassart (1905–1910), at Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi, Greece.
Where is Gallio Inscription (Delphi) today?
Delphi Archaeological Museum, Greece.
Which Bible verses does Gallio Inscription (Delphi) relate to?
Acts 18:12-13, Acts 18:14, Acts 18:17.
Related discoveries
- בֵּימָהThe Bema at CorinthThe judgment platform in the forum where Paul stood before Gallio
- שׁוּקCorinth Meat Market (Macellum) InscriptionLatin stone naming the market where meat 'sold in the shambles' came from
- סוֹכֵןErastus Inscription (Corinth)Pavement laid by an aedile named Erastus — possibly Paul's friend the city treasurer
- תֵּאַטְרוֹןTheater of CorinthRoman theater beside the Erastus pavement, seat of the city's public life
- עִבְרִים'Synagogue of the Hebrews' Lintel (Corinth)Marble doorway block from a Jewish meeting house in Paul's Corinth
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
Sources
- A. Plassart, 'L'inscription de Delphes mentionnant le proconsul Gallion', REG 80 (1967)
- Wikipedia, 'Delphi Inscription'
- Bible Archaeology Report, "Gallio: An Archaeological Biography" (1905 find, nine fragments, Delphi)
- Oliver, "The Epistle of Claudius which mentions the Proconsul Junius Gallio", Hesperia 40 (1971) — Bourguet 1905, Plassart FD III.4 286