Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis
The 2011 discovery of a 1st-century tomb honoured as the apostle's, beside his octagonal shrine
Found 2011 — Francesco D'Andria, Italian Archaeological Mission at Hierapolis (University of Salento)
Where Hierapolis (Pamukkale), Denizli Province (Turkey)
Dates from tomb 1st century CE; martyrium c. 400–450 CE · Roman–Byzantine · Philip's later ministry (tradition); Colossians 4:13
Now at In situ, Hierapolis archaeological site (UNESCO), Turkey
How Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis was found
Excavating a Byzantine church about 40 metres from the octagonal Martyrium of St Philip, the team found a Roman tomb of the 1st century at its centre, around which the church had been built. Graffiti and a 6th-century bread stamp showing Philip between two buildings supported the identification.
What it is
A stone-built Roman tomb enclosed by a 5th-century three-aisled church, set on the hill outside the city walls opposite the earlier-known octagonal Martyrium (about 20 metres across under a dome, ringed by eight chapels) and a monumental stair and bridge for pilgrims. The tomb was empty; the relics were probably moved to Constantinople and then Rome.
Why it matters for the Bible
Papias and Polycrates of Ephesus (2nd century) say the apostle Philip died at Hierapolis with his daughters, and Acts 21:8–9 mentions Philip's four prophesying daughters (though Acts means Philip the evangelist; ancient writers merged the two). The find shows how early and how firmly Hierapolis honoured Philip's grave: a Roman tomb, then a church, then a whole pilgrimage complex. It does not prove whose bones lay there, and D'Andria himself calls it the tomb 'venerated as' Philip's.
The Hebrew word: KEH-ver
קֶבֶר
קֶבֶר is pronounced KEH-ver and means tomb, grave (Greek mnemeion) (Strong's H6913 / G3419).
People this discovery connects to
- Philip — פִילִיפּוֹס (fee-LEE-pos) — Greek Philippos, 'lover of horses'; apostle from Bethsaida
Places
- Hierapolis — הִירַפּוֹלִיס (hee-RAH-po-lees) — Greek Hierapolis
Events
Philip's ministry and death at Hierapolis (tradition)
Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis in Scripture
Colossians 4:13 Hierapolis named as a city with believers already in Paul's day.
Questions people ask
What is Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis?
A stone-built Roman tomb enclosed by a 5th-century three-aisled church, set on the hill outside the city walls opposite the earlier-known octagonal Martyrium (about 20 metres across under a dome, ringed by eight chapels) and a monumental stair and bridge for pilgrims. The tomb was empty; the relics were probably moved to Constantinople and then Rome.
When was Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis discovered?
It was found in 2011 by Francesco D'Andria, Italian Archaeological Mission at Hierapolis (University of Salento), at Hierapolis (Pamukkale), Denizli Province.
Where is Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis today?
In situ, Hierapolis archaeological site (UNESCO), Turkey.
Which Bible verses does Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis relate to?
Colossians 4:13.
Is Tomb and Martyrium of Philip at Hierapolis authentic?
The tomb and its early veneration are secure; that it held the apostle Philip is tradition, and the confusion of Philip the apostle with Philip the evangelist goes back to antiquity.
Related discoveries
- צַיִדBethsaida: et-Tell and el-ArajTwo rival sites for the fishing village of Peter, Andrew and Philip
- לֶחֶםTabgha: Church of the Multiplication and the Loaves-and-Fishes MosaicA 5th-century Byzantine church marking the feeding of the five thousand
- עֵדSarcophagus of Paul at St Paul Outside the WallsThe Ostian Way tomb inscribed 'To Paul, apostle and martyr'
- כֵּיפָאTomb of Peter beneath St Peter's BasilicaA 2nd-century shrine over a simple grave, with the graffito 'Petros eni'
- חֻרְבָּןJerusalem's 586 BCE Destruction LayerBurnt Room, House of Ahiel, Givati ash and arrowheads — the fall of Jerusalem in the ground
- פּוֹשֵׁרLaodicea: Lukewarm Water and the Early ChurchCalcified pipes, the Hierapolis hot springs, and a 4th-century church in the city that was 'neither hot nor cold'
Sources
- F. D'Andria, 'Conversion, Crucifixion and Celebration: St. Philip's Martyrium at Hierapolis', BAR 37/4 (2011)
- Wikipedia, 'Hierapolis'
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