Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones
The stone that located Lystra and the local worship of the two gods Paul was mistaken for
Found 1885 — J. R. S. Sterrett (Wolfe Expedition, American School of Classical Studies at Athens); Zeus–Hermes stones: W. M. Calder (1909–1926)
Where Zoldera / Hatunsaray, near Konya (Turkey)
Dates from 1st–3rd century CE · Roman Imperial · Paul's first journey (Acts 14)
Now at Lystra altar: Konya Archaeological Museum, Turkey; the mound remains unexcavated
How Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones was found
Sterrett found a Latin altar inscription on the mound of Zoldera near Hatunsaray naming the 'Colonia Julia Felix Gemina Lustra,' fixing the site. Calder later recorded a dedication to Zeus and Hermes together and a stone relief of the two gods from the same district.
What it is
A Latin altar with the colony's full name, and Greek stones from nearby villages: one dedicating a statue of Hermes to Zeus, and a relief showing Zeus with Hermes beside him. Together they show the two gods were honoured as a pair in the Lystra district.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 14:11–13 says the people of Lystra, after Paul healed a lame man, cried out in Lycaonian that 'the gods have come down to us,' calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, and the priest of 'Zeus-before-the-city' brought bulls to sacrifice. The inscriptions confirm both the location of Lystra and the local pairing of Zeus and Hermes, a detail once thought to come only from Ovid's tale of Baucis and Philemon set in the same region.
The Hebrew word: eh-lee-LEEM
אֱלִילִים
אֱלִילִים is pronounced eh-lee-LEEM and means idols, false gods (Greek theoi) (Strong's H457).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
- Barnabas — בַּר־נַבָּא (bar-nah-BAH) — son of encouragement
- Timothy — טִימוֹתִיּוֹס (tee-MO-tee-os) — Greek Timotheos, a native of Lystra
Places
- Lystra — לוּסְטְרָה (LOOS-trah) — Greek Lystra; Latin Lustra
Events
Healing of the lame man at Lystra · Attempted sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas · Stoning of Paul
Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones in Scripture
Acts 14:6 First mention of Lystra in Scripture.
Acts 14:11-13 Zeus and Hermes at Lystra — the two gods paired on local stones.
Acts 14:19 Paul stoned at Lystra and left for dead.
Questions people ask
What is Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones?
A Latin altar with the colony's full name, and Greek stones from nearby villages: one dedicating a statue of Hermes to Zeus, and a relief showing Zeus with Hermes beside him. Together they show the two gods were honoured as a pair in the Lystra district.
When was Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones discovered?
It was found in 1885 by J. R. S. Sterrett (Wolfe Expedition, American School of Classical Studies at Athens); Zeus–Hermes stones: W. M. Calder (1909–1926), at Zoldera / Hatunsaray, near Konya.
Where is Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones today?
Lystra altar: Konya Archaeological Museum, Turkey; the mound remains unexcavated.
Which Bible verses does Lystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult Stones relate to?
Acts 14:6, Acts 14:11-13, Acts 14:19.
Related discoveries
- בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶתPisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae CopyImperial-cult city where Paul preached his first recorded sermon
- קְהִלָּהCuretes Street and the Library of Celsus, EphesusThe marble city Paul walked — with a landmark built a generation after him
- נְצִיבSergius Paulus InscriptionsStones from Cyprus, Rome, and Pisidian Antioch naming the proconsul who believed
- כּוֹסAntioch-on-the-Orontes: Mosaics and the 'Chalice of Antioch'The city where disciples were first called Christians — and a famous silver cup that is not what it seemed
- תַּלְמִידִיםDerbe Inscription (Kerti Höyük)The 1956 stone that finally placed the last city of Paul's first journey
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
Sources
- J. R. S. Sterrett, The Wolfe Expedition to Asia Minor (1888), no. 242
- W. M. Calder, 'Zeus and Hermes at Lystra', The Expositor 7th ser. 10 (1910)
- Ferrell Jenkins, "Identifying Lystra" (Sterrett, Latin inscription, Konya museum)
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