House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence
The proconsul's palace in the city where Sergius Paulus believed
Found 1965 — Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw — Kazimierz Michałowski (founder, 1965), Wiktor A. Daszewski (director 1966–2008), Henryk Meyza (2008–2019)
Where Nea Paphos (Kato Paphos) Archaeological Park (Cyprus)
Dates from Built late 2nd century CE over Hellenistic houses; mosaics 3rd–5th century CE · Roman Imperial · Paul and Barnabas before Sergius Paulus (Acts 13)
Now at In situ, Paphos Archaeological Park
How House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence was found
Following a farmer's chance find of the nearby House of Dionysos mosaics in 1962, the Polish mission began excavating the Maloutena quarter and uncovered a palace-sized residence of over 100 rooms around a great peristyle.
What it is
The largest Roman residence known on Cyprus, about 120 by 80 m, with a central court, private baths, marble statuary and mosaic floors including Theseus slaying the Minotaur (late 3rd/4th century) and the birth of Achilles (5th century). Its size and plan mark it as the seat of the Roman governor of the province.
Why it matters for the Bible
Cyprus was a senatorial province governed from Paphos by a proconsul, exactly the title Luke gives Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7), whose family is known from inscriptions (see the Sergius Paulus entry). The House of Theseus is later than 47 CE, but it stands on the site of the earlier residence and shows the official setting in which the governor summoned Paul and Barnabas, and where the sorcerer Bar-Jesus was struck blind.
The Hebrew word: me-chah-SHEF
מְכַשֵּׁף
מְכַשֵּׁף is pronounced me-chah-SHEF and means sorcerer — the Torah's word for men like Elymas at the governor's court (Strong's H3784).
People this discovery connects to
- Sergius Paulus — סֶרְגִּיּוֹס פַּאוּלוֹס (SER-gee-yos PA-oo-los) — Latin Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Cyprus
- Bar-Jesus (Elymas) — בַּר־יֵשׁוּעַ (bar-yeh-SHOO-ah) — Aramaic 'son of Yeshua'; the sorcerer Elymas
Places
- Paphos — פָּפוֹס (PAH-fos) — Greek Paphos
Events
Paul before the proconsul Sergius Paulus · Blinding of Elymas
House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence in Scripture
Acts 13:6-7 Paphos, the proconsul Sergius Paulus and the sorcerer at his court — the governor's residence is the setting.
Acts 13:13 One of only 2 verses that name Paphos.
Questions people ask
What is House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence?
The largest Roman residence known on Cyprus, about 120 by 80 m, with a central court, private baths, marble statuary and mosaic floors including Theseus slaying the Minotaur (late 3rd/4th century) and the birth of Achilles (5th century). Its size and plan mark it as the seat of the Roman governor of the province.
When was House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence discovered?
It was found in 1965 by Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw — Kazimierz Michałowski (founder, 1965), Wiktor A. Daszewski (director 1966–2008), Henryk Meyza (2008–2019), at Nea Paphos (Kato Paphos) Archaeological Park.
Where is House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence today?
In situ, Paphos Archaeological Park.
Which Bible verses does House of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's Residence relate to?
Acts 13:6-7, Acts 13:13.
Related discoveries
- נְצִיבSergius Paulus InscriptionsStones from Cyprus, Rome, and Pisidian Antioch naming the proconsul who believed
- שׁוֹטChrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', PaphosCyprus' largest early church and the column where tradition says Paul was flogged
- נֶחָמָהSalamis: Gymnasium, Theatre and the Tomb of BarnabasThe first port of Paul's first journey and the home city of Barnabas
- 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
Sources
- Polish excavations in Nea Paphos (Imperium Romanum)
- Nea Paphos: 50 Years of Polish Excavations, 1965–2015 (Archaeology & Arts)
- Poland in Cyprus: 55 years of Polish archaeological activity at Paphos
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